Communication arrangements for robot-assisted surgical platforms

ABSTRACT

Various surgical systems are disclosed. A surgical system comprises a hub comprising a generator; a robot comprising a tool mount; an energy tool releasably mounted to the tool mount and operably coupled to the generator; a control console; and a wireless communication path extending between the energy tool and the control console. A wired communication path extends between the energy tool and the control console. The wireless communication path is configured to transmit data indicative of a detected tissue parameter to the control console.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,320, titled DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS, filed Mar. 28, 2018, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This application also claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,340, titled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS, filed Dec. 28, 2017, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,339, titled ROBOT ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to robotic surgical systems. Robotic surgical systems can include a central control unit, a surgeon's command console, and a robot having one or more robotic arms. Robotic surgical tools can be releasably mounted to the robotic arm(s). The number and type of robotic surgical tools can depend on the type of surgical procedure. Robotic surgical systems can be used in connection with one or more displays and/or one or more handheld surgical instruments during a surgical procedure.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a surgical system is provided. The surgical system comprises a hub comprising a generator; a robot, comprising a tool mount; an energy tool releasably mounted to the tool mount and operably coupled to the generator; a control console; and a wireless communication path extending between the energy tool and the control console. The wired communication path extends between the energy tool and the control console. The wireless communication path is configured to transmit data indicative of a detected tissue parameter to the control console.

In another general aspect, a surgical system is provided. The surgical system comprises a wireless communication module; a robot; and a flex circuit. The robot comprises a tool mount and an energy tool releasably mounted to the tool mount. The flex circuit is positioned intermediate the tool mount and the energy tool, and is positioned to intercept a communication path between the tool mount and the energy tool. The flex circuit is coupled to a wireless transmitter configured to communicate with the wireless communication module.

In yet another aspect, a surgical system is provided. The surgical system comprises: a hub comprising a wireless communication module; a robot comprising a tool mount configured to interface with a releasable surgical tool; and a control console. A primary communication path extends between the robot and the control console via a wired connection. A first wireless communication path extends between the robot and the wireless communication module. A second wireless communication path extends between the control console and the wireless communication module. The first wireless communication path and the second wireless communication path form at least a portion of an additional communication path between the robot and the control console that is different than the primary communication path.

In another aspect, a system is provided. The system comprises a wireless communication module configured to transmit a signal. The system further comprises a robotic surgical tool comprising a tool interface, wherein the tool interface comprises: a mechanical connection configured to receive a drive motion from a robotic tool driver and an electrical connection configured to transmit the signal. The system further comprises a flex circuit configured to intercept the signal when the flex circuit is engaged with the tool interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The features of various aspects are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The various aspects, however, both as to organization and methods of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer-implemented interactive surgical system, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a surgical system being used to perform a surgical procedure in an operating room, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a surgical hub paired with a visualization system, a robotic system, and an intelligent instrument, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a surgical hub enclosure, and of a combo generator module slidably receivable in a drawer of the surgical hub enclosure, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a combo generator module with bipolar, ultrasonic, and monopolar contacts and a smoke evacuation component, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates individual power bus attachments for a plurality of lateral docking ports of a lateral modular housing configured to receive a plurality of modules, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a vertical modular housing configured to receive a plurality of modules, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a surgical data network comprising a modular communication hub configured to connect modular devices located in one or more operating theaters of a healthcare facility, or any room in a healthcare facility specially equipped for surgical operations, to the cloud, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a computer-implemented interactive surgical system, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a surgical hub comprising a plurality of modules coupled to the modular control tower, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates one aspect of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) network hub device, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a logic diagram of a control system of a surgical instrument or tool, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a control circuit configured to control aspects of the surgical instrument or tool, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a combinational logic circuit configured to control aspects of the surgical instrument or tool, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates a sequential logic circuit configured to control aspects of the surgical instrument or tool, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates a surgical instrument or tool comprising a plurality of motors which can be activated to perform various functions, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a robotic surgical instrument configured to operate a surgical tool described herein, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of a surgical instrument programmed to control the distal translation of a displacement member, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a surgical instrument configured to control various functions, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a simplified block diagram of a generator configured to provide inductorless tuning, among other benefits, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a generator, which is one form of the generator of FIG. 20, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a schematic of a robotic surgical system, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a minimally invasive telesurgically-controlled robotic surgical system being used to perform a surgery, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a surgeon's control console of the surgical system of FIG. 23, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an electronics cart of the surgical system of FIG. 23, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 is a diagram of a telesurgically-controlled surgical system, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 is a partial view of a patient side cart of the surgical system of FIG. 23, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 is a front view of a telesurgically-operated surgery tool for the surgical system of FIG. 23, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a control schematic diagram of a telesurgically-controlled surgical system, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 30 is an elevation view of a robotic surgical system and various communication paths thereof, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 is a perspective, exploded view of an interface between a robotic tool and a tool mounting portion of the robotic surgical system of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a detail view of the interface of FIG. 31, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a bipolar radio frequency (RF) robotic tool having a smoke evacuation pump for use with a robotic surgical system, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the end effector of the bipolar radio frequency robotic tool of FIG. 33 depicting the end effector clamping and treating tissue, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 35 is a plan view of the tool drive interface of the bipolar radio frequency robotic tool of FIG. 33 with components removed for clarity, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 36 is a plan view of an ultrasonic robotic tool having cooling and insufflation features for use with a robotic surgical system, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 37 is a flow chart of a control algorithm for a robotic tool for use with a robotic surgical system, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a drive system for a robotic surgical tool, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 39 is an exploded perspective view of the drive system of FIG. 38, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 40 is a perspective, partial cross-section view of a proximal housing of the robotic surgical tool of FIG. 38, depicting a transmission arrangement within the proximal housing, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 41 is an exploded perspective view of the transmission arrangement of FIG. 40, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 42 is an exploded perspective view of the transmission arrangement of FIG. 40 with various parts removed for clarity, depicting the transmission arrangement in a first configuration in which a first cooperative drive is drivingly coupled to a first output shaft and a second cooperative drive is drivingly coupled to a second output shaft, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 43 is an exploded perspective view of the transmission arrangement of FIG. 40 with various parts removed for clarity, depicting the transmission arrangement in a second configuration in which the first cooperative drive and the second cooperative drive are drivingly coupled to a third output shaft, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 44 is an exploded perspective view of the transmission arrangement of FIG. 40 with various parts removed for clarity, depicting the transmission arrangement in a third configuration in which the first cooperative drive and the second cooperative drive are drivingly coupled to a fourth output shaft, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 45 is an exploded, cross-section elevation view of the transmission arrangement of FIG. 40, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 46 is a graphical display of output torque for different surgical functions of the robotic surgical tool of FIG. 38, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the robotic surgical tool of FIG. 38 in an unactuated configuration, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the robotic surgical tool of FIG. 38 in an articulated configuration, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the robotic surgical tool of FIG. 38 in a rotated configuration, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the robotic surgical tool of FIG. 38 in a clamped and fired configuration, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 51 is a view of robotically-controlled end effectors at a surgical site, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 52 is a view of the robotically-controlled end effectors of FIG. 51, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 53 is a graphical display of force and displacement over time for one of the robotically-controlled end effectors of FIG. 51, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 54 is a flow chart of a control algorithm for one a surgical tool for use with a robotic surgical system, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 55 is an elevation view of a surgical procedure involving a robotic surgical system and a handheld surgical instrument and depicting multiple displays in the surgical theater, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 56 is a timeline depicting situational awareness of a surgical hub, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Provisional Patent Applications, filed on Mar. 28, 2018, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,302, titled         INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION         CAPABILITIES;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,294, titled         DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE         ANONYMIZED RECORD;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,300, titled         SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,309, titled         SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING         THEATER;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,310, titled         COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,291, titled         USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE         PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,296, titled         ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,333, titled         CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND         RECOMMENDATIONS TO A USER;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,327, titled         CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION         TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,315, titled         DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,313, titled         CLOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,320, titled         DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,307, titled         AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL         PLATFORMS; and     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,323, titled         SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed on Mar. 29, 2018, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled INTERACTIVE         SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES;         Attorney Docket No. END8499USNP/170766;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled INTERACTIVE         SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH CONDITION HANDLING OF DEVICES AND DATA         CAPABILITIES; Attorney Docket No. EN D8499USNP1/170766-1;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled SURGICAL HUB         COORDINATION OF CONTROL AND COMMUNICATION OF OPERATING ROOM         DEVICES; Attorney Docket No. END8499USNP2/170766-2;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled SPATIAL         AWARENESS OF SURGICAL HUBS IN OPERATING ROOMS; Attorney Docket         No. END8499USNP3/170766-3;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled COOPERATIVE         UTILIZATION OF DATA DERIVED FROM SECONDARY SOURCES BY         INTELLIGENT SURGICAL HUBS; Attorney Docket No.         END8499USNP4/170766-4;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled SURGICAL HUB         CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS; Attorney Docket No. END8499USNP5/170766-5;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled DATA STRIPPING         METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE ANONYMIZED         RECORD; Attorney Docket No. END8500USNP/170767;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled COMMUNICATION         HUB AND STORAGE DEVICE FOR STORING PARAMETERS AND STATUS OF A         SURGICAL DEVICE TO BE SHARED WITH CLOUD BASED ANALYTICS SYSTEMS;         Attorney Docket No. END8500USNP1/170767-1;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled SELF DESCRIBING         DATA PACKETS GENERATED AT AN ISSUING INSTRUMENT; Attorney Docket         No. END8500USNP2/170767-2;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled DATA PAIRING TO         INTERCONNECT A DEVICE MEASURED PARAMETER WITH AN OUTCOME;         Attorney Docket No. END8500USNP3/170767-3;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled SURGICAL HUB         SITUATIONAL AWARENESS; Attorney Docket No. END8501USNP/170768;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled SURGICAL SYSTEM         DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING; Attorney Docket No.         END8501USNP1/170768-1;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled AGGREGATION AND         REPORTING OF SURGICAL HUB DATA; Attorney Docket No.         END8501USNP2/170768-2;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled SURGICAL HUB         SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEATER;         Attorney Docket No. END8502USNP/170769;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled DISPLAY OF         ALIGNMENT OF STAPLE CARTRIDGE TO PRIOR LINEAR STAPLE LINE;         Attorney Docket No. END8502USNP1/170769-1;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled STERILE FIELD         INTERACTIVE CONTROL DISPLAYS; Attorney Docket No.         END8502USNP2/170769-2;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled COMPUTER         IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS; Attorney Docket No.         END8503USNP/170770;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled USE OF LASER         LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF         BACK SCATTERED LIGHT; Attorney Docket No. END8504USNP/170771;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled CHARACTERIZATION         OF TISSUE IRREGULARITIES THROUGH THE USE OF MONO-CHROMATIC LIGHT         REFRACTIVITY; Attorney Docket No. END8504USNP1/170771-1; and     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled DUAL CMOS ARRAY         IMAGING; Attorney Docket No. END8504USNP2/170771-2.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed on Mar. 29, 2018, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled ADAPTIVE CONTROL         PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES; Attorney Docket No.         END8506USNP/170773;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled ADAPTIVE CONTROL         PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL HUBS; Attorney Docket No.         END8506USNP1/170773-1;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled CLOUD-BASED         MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO A         USER; Attorney Docket No. END8507USNP/170774;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled CLOUD-BASED         MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR LINKING OF LOCAL USAGE TRENDS WITH THE         RESOURCE ACQUISITION BEHAVIORS OF LARGER DATA SET; Attorney         Docket No. END8507USNP1/170774-1;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled CLOUD-BASED         MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR MEDICAL FACILITY SEGMENTED         INDIVIDUALIZATION OF INSTRUMENT FUNCTION; Attorney Docket No.         END8507USNP2/170774-2;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled CLOUD-BASED         MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND         REACTIVE MEASURES; Attorney Docket No. END8508USNP/170775;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled DATA HANDLING         AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK; Attorney Docket         No. END8509USNP/170776; and     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled CLOUD INTERFACE         FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES; Attorney Docket No.         END8510USNP/170777.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed on Mar. 29, 2018, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled DRIVE         ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS; Attorney         Docket No. END8511USNP/170778;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled CONTROLS FOR         ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS; Attorney Docket No.         END8511USNP2/170778-2;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled AUTOMATIC TOOL         ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS; Attorney         Docket No. END8512USNP/170779;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled CONTROLLERS FOR         ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS; Attorney Docket No. EN         D8512USNP1/170779-1;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled COOPERATIVE         SURGICAL ACTIONS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS; Attorney         Docket No. END8512USNP2/170779-2;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled DISPLAY         ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS; Attorney         Docket No. END8512USNP3/170779-3; and     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled SENSING         ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS; Attorney         Docket No. END8513USNP/170780.

Before explaining various aspects of surgical devices and generators in detail, it should be noted that the illustrative examples are not limited in application or use to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and description. The illustrative examples may be implemented or incorporated in other aspects, variations and modifications, and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Further, unless otherwise indicated, the terms and expressions employed herein have been chosen for the purpose of describing the illustrative examples for the convenience of the reader and are not for the purpose of limitation thereof. Also, it will be appreciated that one or more of the following-described aspects, expressions of aspects, and/or examples, can be combined with any one or more of the other following-described aspects, expressions of aspects and/or examples.

Referring to FIG. 1, a computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100 includes one or more surgical systems 102 and a cloud-based system (e.g., the cloud 104 that may include a remote server 113 coupled to a storage device 105). Each surgical system 102 includes at least one surgical hub 106 in communication with the cloud 104 that may include a remote server 113. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the surgical system 102 includes a visualization system 108, a robotic system 110, and a handheld intelligent surgical instrument 112, which are configured to communicate with one another and/or the hub 106. In some aspects, a surgical system 102 may include an M number of hubs 106, an N number of visualization systems 108, an O number of robotic systems 110, and a P number of handheld intelligent surgical instruments 112, where M, N, O, and P are integers greater than or equal to one.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of a surgical system 102 being used to perform a surgical procedure on a patient who is lying down on an operating table 114 in a surgical operating room 116. A robotic system 110 is used in the surgical procedure as a part of the surgical system 102. The robotic system 110 includes a surgeon's console 118, a patient side cart 120 (surgical robot), and a surgical robotic hub 122. The patient side cart 120 can manipulate at least one removably coupled surgical tool 117 through a minimally invasive incision in the body of the patient while the surgeon views the surgical site through the surgeon's console 118. An image of the surgical site can be obtained by a medical imaging device 124, which can be manipulated by the patient side cart 120 to orient the imaging device 124. The robotic hub 122 can be used to process the images of the surgical site for subsequent display to the surgeon through the surgeon's console 118.

Other types of robotic systems can be readily adapted for use with the surgical system 102. Various examples of robotic systems and surgical tools that are suitable for use with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,339, titled ROBOT ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Various examples of cloud-based analytics that are performed by the cloud 104, and are suitable for use with the present disclosure, are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,340, titled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In various aspects, the imaging device 124 includes at least one image sensor and one or more optical components. Suitable image sensors include, but are not limited to, Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) sensors and Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensors.

The optical components of the imaging device 124 may include one or more illumination sources and/or one or more lenses. The one or more illumination sources may be directed to illuminate portions of the surgical field. The one or more image sensors may receive light reflected or refracted from the surgical field, including light reflected or refracted from tissue and/or surgical instruments.

The one or more illumination sources may be configured to radiate electromagnetic energy in the visible spectrum as well as the invisible spectrum. The visible spectrum, sometimes referred to as the optical spectrum or luminous spectrum, is that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to (i.e., can be detected by) the human eye and may be referred to as visible light or simply light. A typical human eye will respond to wavelengths in air that are from about 380 nm to about 750 nm.

The invisible spectrum (i.e., the non-luminous spectrum) is that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that lies below and above the visible spectrum (i.e., wavelengths below about 380 nm and above about 750 nm). The invisible spectrum is not detectable by the human eye. Wavelengths greater than about 750 nm are longer than the red visible spectrum, and they become invisible infrared (IR), microwave, and radio electromagnetic radiation. Wavelengths less than about 380 nm are shorter than the violet spectrum, and they become invisible ultraviolet, x-ray, and gamma ray electromagnetic radiation.

In various aspects, the imaging device 124 is configured for use in a minimally invasive procedure. Examples of imaging devices suitable for use with the present disclosure include, but not limited to, an arthroscope, angioscope, bronchoscope, choledochoscope, colonoscope, cytoscope, duodenoscope, enteroscope, esophagogastro-duodenoscope (gastroscope), endoscope, laryngoscope, nasopharyngo-neproscope, sigmoidoscope, thoracoscope, and ureteroscope.

In one aspect, the imaging device employs multi-spectrum monitoring to discriminate topography and underlying structures. A multi-spectral image is one that captures image data within specific wavelength ranges across the electromagnetic spectrum. The wavelengths may be separated by filters or by the use of instruments that are sensitive to particular wavelengths, including light from frequencies beyond the visible light range, e.g., IR and ultraviolet. Spectral imaging can allow extraction of additional information the human eye fails to capture with its receptors for red, green, and blue. The use of multi-spectral imaging is described in greater detail under the heading “Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module” in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Multi-spectrum monitoring can be a useful tool in relocating a surgical field after a surgical task is completed to perform one or more of the previously described tests on the treated tissue.

It is axiomatic that strict sterilization of the operating room and surgical equipment is required during any surgery. The strict hygiene and sterilization conditions required in a “surgical theater,” i.e., an operating or treatment room, necessitate the highest possible sterility of all medical devices and equipment. Part of that sterilization process is the need to sterilize anything that comes in contact with the patient or penetrates the sterile field, including the imaging device 124 and its attachments and components. It will be appreciated that the sterile field may be considered a specified area, such as within a tray or on a sterile towel, that is considered free of microorganisms, or the sterile field may be considered an area, immediately around a patient, who has been prepared for a surgical procedure. The sterile field may include the scrubbed team members, who are properly attired, and all furniture and fixtures in the area.

In various aspects, the visualization system 108 includes one or more imaging sensors, one or more image processing units, one or more storage arrays, and one or more displays that are strategically arranged with respect to the sterile field, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In one aspect, the visualization system 108 includes an interface for HL7, PACS, and EMR. Various components of the visualization system 108 are described under the heading “Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module” in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a primary display 119 is positioned in the sterile field to be visible to an operator at the operating table 114. In addition, a visualization tower 111 is positioned outside the sterile field. The visualization tower 111 includes a first non-sterile display 107 and a second non-sterile display 109, which face away from each other. The visualization system 108, guided by the hub 106, is configured to utilize the displays 107, 109, and 119 to coordinate information flow to operators inside and outside the sterile field. For example, the hub 106 may cause the visualization system 108 to display a snap-shot of a surgical site, as recorded by an imaging device 124, on a non-sterile display 107 or 109, while maintaining a live feed of the surgical site on the primary display 119. The snap-shot on the non-sterile display 107 or 109 can permit a non-sterile operator to perform a diagnostic step relevant to the surgical procedure, for example.

In one aspect, the hub 106 is also configured to route a diagnostic input or feedback entered by a non-sterile operator at the visualization tower 111 to the primary display 119 within the sterile field, where it can be viewed by a sterile operator at the operating table. In one example, the input can be in the form of a modification to the snap-shot displayed on the non-sterile display 107 or 109, which can be routed to the primary display 119 by the hub 106.

Referring to FIG. 2, a surgical instrument 112 is being used in the surgical procedure as part of the surgical system 102. The hub 106 is also configured to coordinate information flow to a display of the surgical instrument 112. For example, in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. A diagnostic input or feedback entered by a non-sterile operator at the visualization tower 111 can be routed by the hub 106 to the surgical instrument display 115 within the sterile field, where it can be viewed by the operator of the surgical instrument 112. Example surgical instruments that are suitable for use with the surgical system 102 are described under the heading “Surgical Instrument Hardware” and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a hub 106 is depicted in communication with a visualization system 108, a robotic system 110, and a handheld intelligent surgical instrument 112. The hub 106 includes a hub display 135, an imaging module 138, a generator module 140, a communication module 130, a processor module 132, and a storage array 134. In certain aspects, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the hub 106 further includes a smoke evacuation module 126 and/or a suction/irrigation module 128.

During a surgical procedure, energy application to tissue, for sealing and/or cutting, is generally associated with smoke evacuation, suction of excess fluid, and/or irrigation of the tissue. Fluid, power, and/or data lines from different sources are often entangled during the surgical procedure. Valuable time can be lost addressing this issue during a surgical procedure. Detangling the lines may necessitate disconnecting the lines from their respective modules, which may require resetting the modules. The hub modular enclosure 136 offers a unified environment for managing the power, data, and fluid lines, which reduces the frequency of entanglement between such lines.

Aspects of the present disclosure present a surgical hub for use in a surgical procedure that involves energy application to tissue at a surgical site. The surgical hub includes a hub enclosure and a combo generator module slidably receivable in a docking station of the hub enclosure. The docking station includes data and power contacts. The combo generator module includes two or more of an ultrasonic energy generator component, a bipolar RF energy generator component, and a monopolar RF energy generator component that are housed in a single unit. In one aspect, the combo generator module also includes a smoke evacuation component, at least one energy delivery cable for connecting the combo generator module to a surgical instrument, at least one smoke evacuation component configured to evacuate smoke, fluid, and/or particulates generated by the application of therapeutic energy to the tissue, and a fluid line extending from the remote surgical site to the smoke evacuation component.

In one aspect, the fluid line is a first fluid line and a second fluid line extends from the remote surgical site to a suction and irrigation module slidably received in the hub enclosure. In one aspect, the hub enclosure comprises a fluid interface.

Certain surgical procedures may require the application of more than one energy type to the tissue. One energy type may be more beneficial for cutting the tissue, while another different energy type may be more beneficial for sealing the tissue. For example, a bipolar generator can be used to seal the tissue while an ultrasonic generator can be used to cut the sealed tissue. Aspects of the present disclosure present a solution where a hub modular enclosure 136 is configured to accommodate different generators, and facilitate an interactive communication therebetween. One of the advantages of the hub modular enclosure 136 is enabling the quick removal and/or replacement of various modules.

Aspects of the present disclosure present a modular surgical enclosure for use in a surgical procedure that involves energy application to tissue. The modular surgical enclosure includes a first energy-generator module, configured to generate a first energy for application to the tissue, and a first docking station comprising a first docking port that includes first data and power contacts, wherein the first energy-generator module is slidably movable into an electrical engagement with the power and data contacts and wherein the first energy-generator module is slidably movable out of the electrical engagement with the first power and data contacts.

Further to the above, the modular surgical enclosure also includes a second energy-generator module configured to generate a second energy, different than the first energy, for application to the tissue, and a second docking station comprising a second docking port that includes second data and power contacts, wherein the second energy-generator module is slidably movable into an electrical engagement with the power and data contacts, and wherein the second energy-generator module is slidably movable out of the electrical engagement with the second power and data contacts.

In addition, the modular surgical enclosure also includes a communication bus between the first docking port and the second docking port, configured to facilitate communication between the first energy-generator module and the second energy-generator module.

Referring to FIGS. 3-7, aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a hub modular enclosure 136 that allows the modular integration of a generator module 140, a smoke evacuation module 126, and a suction/irrigation module 128. The hub modular enclosure 136 further facilitates interactive communication between the modules 140, 126, 128. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the generator module 140 can be a generator module with integrated monopolar, bipolar, and ultrasonic components supported in a single housing unit 139 slidably insertable into the hub modular enclosure 136. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the generator module 140 can be configured to connect to a monopolar device 146, a bipolar device 147, and an ultrasonic device 148. Alternatively, the generator module 140 may comprise a series of monopolar, bipolar, and/or ultrasonic generator modules that interact through the hub modular enclosure 136. The hub modular enclosure 136 can be configured to facilitate the insertion of multiple generators and interactive communication between the generators docked into the hub modular enclosure 136 so that the generators would act as a single generator.

In one aspect, the hub modular enclosure 136 comprises a modular power and communication backplane 149 with external and wireless communication headers to enable the removable attachment of the modules 140, 126, 128 and interactive communication therebetween.

In one aspect, the hub modular enclosure 136 includes docking stations, or drawers, 151, herein also referred to as drawers, which are configured to slidably receive the modules 140, 126, 128. FIG. 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of a surgical hub enclosure 136, and a combo generator module 145 slidably receivable in a docking station 151 of the surgical hub enclosure 136. A docking port 152 with power and data contacts on a rear side of the combo generator module 145 is configured to engage a corresponding docking port 150 with power and data contacts of a corresponding docking station 151 of the hub modular enclosure 136 as the combo generator module 145 is slid into position within the corresponding docking station 151 of the hub module enclosure 136. In one aspect, the combo generator module 145 includes a bipolar, ultrasonic, and monopolar module and a smoke evacuation module integrated together into a single housing unit 139, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In various aspects, the smoke evacuation module 126 includes a fluid line 154 that conveys captured/collected smoke and/or fluid away from a surgical site and to, for example, the smoke evacuation module 126. Vacuum suction originating from the smoke evacuation module 126 can draw the smoke into an opening of a utility conduit at the surgical site. The utility conduit, coupled to the fluid line, can be in the form of a flexible tube terminating at the smoke evacuation module 126. The utility conduit and the fluid line define a fluid path extending toward the smoke evacuation module 126 that is received in the hub enclosure 136.

In various aspects, the suction/irrigation module 128 is coupled to a surgical tool comprising an aspiration fluid line and a suction fluid line. In one example, the aspiration and suction fluid lines are in the form of flexible tubes extending from the surgical site toward the suction/irrigation module 128. One or more drive systems can be configured to cause irrigation and aspiration of fluids to and from the surgical site.

In one aspect, the surgical tool includes a shaft having an end effector at a distal end thereof and at least one energy treatment associated with the end effector, an aspiration tube, and an irrigation tube. The aspiration tube can have an inlet port at a distal end thereof and the aspiration tube extends through the shaft. Similarly, an irrigation tube can extend through the shaft and can have an inlet port in proximity to the energy deliver implement. The energy deliver implement is configured to deliver ultrasonic and/or RF energy to the surgical site and is coupled to the generator module 140 by a cable extending initially through the shaft.

The irrigation tube can be in fluid communication with a fluid source, and the aspiration tube can be in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The fluid source and/or the vacuum source can be housed in the suction/irrigation module 128. In one example, the fluid source and/or the vacuum source can be housed in the hub enclosure 136 separately from the suction/irrigation module 128. In such example, a fluid interface can be configured to connect the suction/irrigation module 128 to the fluid source and/or the vacuum source.

In one aspect, the modules 140, 126, 128 and/or their corresponding docking stations on the hub modular enclosure 136 may include alignment features that are configured to align the docking ports of the modules into engagement with their counterparts in the docking stations of the hub modular enclosure 136. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the combo generator module 145 includes side brackets 155 that are configured to slidably engage with corresponding brackets 156 of the corresponding docking station 151 of the hub modular enclosure 136. The brackets cooperate to guide the docking port contacts of the combo generator module 145 into an electrical engagement with the docking port contacts of the hub modular enclosure 136.

In some aspects, the drawers 151 of the hub modular enclosure 136 are the same, or substantially the same size, and the modules are adjusted in size to be received in the drawers 151. For example, the side brackets 155 and/or 156 can be larger or smaller depending on the size of the module. In other aspects, the drawers 151 are different in size and are each designed to accommodate a particular module.

Furthermore, the contacts of a particular module can be keyed for engagement with the contacts of a particular drawer to avoid inserting a module into a drawer with mismatching contacts.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the docking port 150 of one drawer 151 can be coupled to the docking port 150 of another drawer 151 through a communications link 157 to facilitate an interactive communication between the modules housed in the hub modular enclosure 136. The docking ports 150 of the hub modular enclosure 136 may alternatively, or additionally, facilitate a wireless interactive communication between the modules housed in the hub modular enclosure 136. Any suitable wireless communication can be employed, such as for example Air Titan-Bluetooth.

FIG. 6 illustrates individual power bus attachments for a plurality of lateral docking ports of a lateral modular housing 160 configured to receive a plurality of modules of a surgical hub 206. The lateral modular housing 160 is configured to laterally receive and interconnect the modules 161. The modules 161 are slidably inserted into docking stations 162 of lateral modular housing 160, which includes a backplane for interconnecting the modules 161. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the modules 161 are arranged laterally in the lateral modular housing 160. Alternatively, the modules 161 may be arranged vertically in a lateral modular housing.

FIG. 7 illustrates a vertical modular housing 164 configured to receive a plurality of modules 165 of the surgical hub 106. The modules 165 are slidably inserted into docking stations, or drawers, 167 of vertical modular housing 164, which includes a backplane for interconnecting the modules 165. Although the drawers 167 of the vertical modular housing 164 are arranged vertically, in certain instances, a vertical modular housing 164 may include drawers that are arranged laterally. Furthermore, the modules 165 may interact with one another through the docking ports of the vertical modular housing 164. In the example of FIG. 7, a display 177 is provided for displaying data relevant to the operation of the modules 165. In addition, the vertical modular housing 164 includes a master module 178 housing a plurality of sub-modules that are slidably received in the master module 178.

In various aspects, the imaging module 138 comprises an integrated video processor and a modular light source and is adapted for use with various imaging devices. In one aspect, the imaging device is comprised of a modular housing that can be assembled with a light source module and a camera module. The housing can be a disposable housing. In at least one example, the disposable housing is removably coupled to a reusable controller, a light source module, and a camera module. The light source module and/or the camera module can be selectively chosen depending on the type of surgical procedure. In one aspect, the camera module comprises a CCD sensor. In another aspect, the camera module comprises a CMOS sensor. In another aspect, the camera module is configured for scanned beam imaging. Likewise, the light source module can be configured to deliver a white light or a different light, depending on the surgical procedure.

During a surgical procedure, removing a surgical device from the surgical field and replacing it with another surgical device that includes a different camera or a different light source can be inefficient. Temporarily losing sight of the surgical field may lead to undesirable consequences. The module imaging device of the present disclosure is configured to permit the replacement of a light source module or a camera module midstream during a surgical procedure, without having to remove the imaging device from the surgical field.

In one aspect, the imaging device comprises a tubular housing that includes a plurality of channels. A first channel is configured to slidably receive the camera module, which can be configured for a snap-fit engagement with the first channel. A second channel is configured to slidably receive the light source module, which can be configured for a snap-fit engagement with the second channel. In another example, the camera module and/or the light source module can be rotated into a final position within their respective channels. A threaded engagement can be employed in lieu of the snap-fit engagement.

In various examples, multiple imaging devices are placed at different positions in the surgical field to provide multiple views. The imaging module 138 can be configured to switch between the imaging devices to provide an optimal view. In various aspects, the imaging module 138 can be configured to integrate the images from the different imaging device.

Various image processors and imaging devices suitable for use with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,995,045, titled COMBINED SBI AND CONVENTIONAL IMAGE PROCESSOR, which issued on Aug. 9, 2011, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 7,982,776, titled SBI MOTION ARTIFACT REMOVAL APPARATUS AND METHOD, which issued on Jul. 19, 2011, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes various systems for removing motion artifacts from image data. Such systems can be integrated with the imaging module 138. Furthermore, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0306840, titled CONTROLLABLE MAGNETIC SOURCE TO FIXTURE INTRACORPOREAL APPARATUS, which published on Dec. 15, 2011, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0243597, titled SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING A MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURE, which published on Aug. 28, 2014, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 8 illustrates a surgical data network 201 comprising a modular communication hub 203 configured to connect modular devices located in one or more operating theaters of a healthcare facility, or any room in a healthcare facility specially equipped for surgical operations, to a cloud-based system (e.g., the cloud 204 that may include a remote server 213 coupled to a storage device 205). In one aspect, the modular communication hub 203 comprises a network hub 207 and/or a network switch 209 in communication with a network router. The modular communication hub 203 also can be coupled to a local computer system 210 to provide local computer processing and data manipulation. The surgical data network 201 may be configured as passive, intelligent, or switching. A passive surgical data network serves as a conduit for the data, enabling it to go from one device (or segment) to another and to the cloud computing resources. An intelligent surgical data network includes additional features to enable the traffic passing through the surgical data network to be monitored and to configure each port in the network hub 207 or network switch 209. An intelligent surgical data network may be referred to as a manageable hub or switch. A switching hub reads the destination address of each packet and then forwards the packet to the correct port.

Modular devices 1 a-1 n located in the operating theater may be coupled to the modular communication hub 203. The network hub 207 and/or the network switch 209 may be coupled to a network router 211 to connect the devices 1 a-1 n to the cloud 204 or the local computer system 210. Data associated with the devices 1 a-1 n may be transferred to cloud-based computers via the router for remote data processing and manipulation. Data associated with the devices 1 a-1 n may also be transferred to the local computer system 210 for local data processing and manipulation. Modular devices 2 a-2 m located in the same operating theater also may be coupled to a network switch 209. The network switch 209 may be coupled to the network hub 207 and/or the network router 211 to connect to the devices 2 a-2 m to the cloud 204. Data associated with the devices 2 a-2 n may be transferred to the cloud 204 via the network router 211 for data processing and manipulation. Data associated with the devices 2 a-2 m may also be transferred to the local computer system 210 for local data processing and manipulation.

It will be appreciated that the surgical data network 201 may be expanded by interconnecting multiple network hubs 207 and/or multiple network switches 209 with multiple network routers 211. The modular communication hub 203 may be contained in a modular control tower configured to receive multiple devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m. The local computer system 210 also may be contained in a modular control tower. The modular communication hub 203 is connected to a display 212 to display images obtained by some of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m, for example during surgical procedures. In various aspects, the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may include, for example, various modules such as an imaging module 138 coupled to an endoscope, a generator module 140 coupled to an energy-based surgical device, a smoke evacuation module 126, a suction/irrigation module 128, a communication module 130, a processor module 132, a storage array 134, a surgical device coupled to a display, and/or a non-contact sensor module, among other modular devices that may be connected to the modular communication hub 203 of the surgical data network 201.

In one aspect, the surgical data network 201 may comprise a combination of network hub(s), network switch(es), and network router(s) connecting the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m to the cloud. Any one of or all of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m coupled to the network hub or network switch may collect data in real time and transfer the data to cloud computers for data processing and manipulation. It will be appreciated that cloud computing relies on sharing computing resources rather than having local servers or personal devices to handle software applications. The word “cloud” may be used as a metaphor for “the Internet,” although the term is not limited as such. Accordingly, the term “cloud computing” may be used herein to refer to “a type of Internet-based computing,” where different services—such as servers, storage, and applications—are delivered to the modular communication hub 203 and/or computer system 210 located in the surgical theater (e.g., a fixed, mobile, temporary, or field operating room or space) and to devices connected to the modular communication hub 203 and/or computer system 210 through the Internet. The cloud infrastructure may be maintained by a cloud service provider. In this context, the cloud service provider may be the entity that coordinates the usage and control of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m located in one or more operating theaters. The cloud computing services can perform a large number of calculations based on the data gathered by smart surgical instruments, robots, and other computerized devices located in the operating theater. The hub hardware enables multiple devices or connections to be connected to a computer that communicates with the cloud computing resources and storage.

Applying cloud computer data processing techniques on the data collected by the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m, the surgical data network provides improved surgical outcomes, reduced costs, and improved patient satisfaction. At least some of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may be employed to view tissue states to assess leaks or perfusion of sealed tissue after a tissue sealing and cutting procedure. At least some of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may be employed to identify pathology, such as the effects of diseases, using the cloud-based computing to examine data including images of samples of body tissue for diagnostic purposes. This includes localization and margin confirmation of tissue and phenotypes. At least some of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may be employed to identify anatomical structures of the body using a variety of sensors integrated with imaging devices and techniques such as overlaying images captured by multiple imaging devices. The data gathered by the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m, including image data, may be transferred to the cloud 204 or the local computer system 210 or both for data processing and manipulation including image processing and manipulation. The data may be analyzed to improve surgical procedure outcomes by determining if further treatment, such as the application of endoscopic intervention, emerging technologies, a targeted radiation, targeted intervention, and precise robotics to tissue-specific sites and conditions, may be pursued. Such data analysis may further employ outcome analytics processing, and using standardized approaches may provide beneficial feedback to either confirm surgical treatments and the behavior of the surgeon or suggest modifications to surgical treatments and the behavior of the surgeon.

In one implementation, the operating theater devices 1 a-1 n may be connected to the modular communication hub 203 over a wired channel or a wireless channel depending on the configuration of the devices 1 a-1 n to a network hub. The network hub 207 may be implemented, in one aspect, as a local network broadcast device that works on the physical layer of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model. The network hub provides connectivity to the devices 1 a-1 n located in the same operating theater network. The network hub 207 collects data in the form of packets and sends them to the router in half duplex mode. The network hub 207 does not store any media access control/internet protocol (MAC/IP) to transfer the device data. Only one of the devices 1 a-1 n can send data at a time through the network hub 207. The network hub 207 has no routing tables or intelligence regarding where to send information and broadcasts all network data across each connection and to a remote server 213 (FIG. 9) over the cloud 204. The network hub 207 can detect basic network errors such as collisions, but having all information broadcast to multiple ports can be a security risk and cause bottlenecks.

In another implementation, the operating theater devices 2 a-2 m may be connected to a network switch 209 over a wired channel or a wireless channel. The network switch 209 works in the data link layer of the OSI model. The network switch 209 is a multicast device for connecting the devices 2 a-2 m located in the same operating theater to the network. The network switch 209 sends data in the form of frames to the network router 211 and works in full duplex mode. Multiple devices 2 a-2 m can send data at the same time through the network switch 209. The network switch 209 stores and uses MAC addresses of the devices 2 a-2 m to transfer data.

The network hub 207 and/or the network switch 209 are coupled to the network router 211 for connection to the cloud 204. The network router 211 works in the network layer of the OSI model. The network router 211 creates a route for transmitting data packets received from the network hub 207 and/or network switch 211 to cloud-based computer resources for further processing and manipulation of the data collected by any one of or all the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m. The network router 211 may be employed to connect two or more different networks located in different locations, such as, for example, different operating theaters of the same healthcare facility or different networks located in different operating theaters of different healthcare facilities. The network router 211 sends data in the form of packets to the cloud 204 and works in full duplex mode. Multiple devices can send data at the same time. The network router 211 uses IP addresses to transfer data.

In one example, the network hub 207 may be implemented as a USB hub, which allows multiple USB devices to be connected to a host computer. The USB hub may expand a single USB port into several tiers so that there are more ports available to connect devices to the host system computer. The network hub 207 may include wired or wireless capabilities to receive information over a wired channel or a wireless channel. In one aspect, a wireless USB short-range, high-bandwidth wireless radio communication protocol may be employed for communication between the devices 1 a-1 n and devices 2 a-2 m located in the operating theater.

In other examples, the operating theater devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may communicate to the modular communication hub 203 via Bluetooth wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances (using short-wavelength UHF radio waves in the ISM band from 2.4 to 2.485 GHz) from fixed and mobile devices and building personal area networks (PANs). In other aspects, the operating theater devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may communicate to the modular communication hub 203 via a number of wireless or wired communication standards or protocols, including but not limited to W-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, long-term evolution (LTE), and Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, and Ethernet derivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless and wired protocols that are designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. The computing module may include a plurality of communication modules. For instance, a first communication module may be dedicated to shorter-range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a second communication module may be dedicated to longer-range wireless communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Ev-DO, and others.

The modular communication hub 203 may serve as a central connection for one or all of the operating theater devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m and handles a data type known as frames. Frames carry the data generated by the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m. When a frame is received by the modular communication hub 203, it is amplified and transmitted to the network router 211, which transfers the data to the cloud computing resources by using a number of wireless or wired communication standards or protocols, as described herein.

The modular communication hub 203 can be used as a standalone device or be connected to compatible network hubs and network switches to form a larger network. The modular communication hub 203 is generally easy to install, configure, and maintain, making it a good option for networking the operating theater devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m.

FIG. 9 illustrates a computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200. The computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 is similar in many respects to the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100. For example, the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 includes one or more surgical systems 202, which are similar in many respects to the surgical systems 102. Each surgical system 202 includes at least one surgical hub 206 in communication with a cloud 204 that may include a remote server 213. In one aspect, the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 comprises a modular control tower 236 connected to multiple operating theater devices such as, for example, intelligent surgical instruments, robots, and other computerized devices located in the operating theater. As shown in FIG. 10, the modular control tower 236 comprises a modular communication hub 203 coupled to a computer system 210. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 9, the modular control tower 236 is coupled to an imaging module 238 that is coupled to an endoscope 239, a generator module 240 that is coupled to an energy device 241, a smoke evacuator module 226, a suction/irrigation module 228, a communication module 230, a processor module 232, a storage array 234, a smart device/instrument 235 optionally coupled to a display 237, and a non-contact sensor module 242. The operating theater devices are coupled to cloud computing resources and data storage via the modular control tower 236. A robot hub 222 also may be connected to the modular control tower 236 and to the cloud computing resources. The devices/instruments 235, visualization systems 208, among others, may be coupled to the modular control tower 236 via wired or wireless communication standards or protocols, as described herein. The modular control tower 236 may be coupled to a hub display 215 (e.g., monitor, screen) to display and overlay images received from the imaging module, device/instrument display, and/or other visualization systems 208. The hub display also may display data received from devices connected to the modular control tower in conjunction with images and overlaid images.

FIG. 10 illustrates a surgical hub 206 comprising a plurality of modules coupled to the modular control tower 236. The modular control tower 236 comprises a modular communication hub 203, e.g., a network connectivity device, and a computer system 210 to provide local processing, visualization, and imaging, for example. As shown in FIG. 10, the modular communication hub 203 may be connected in a tiered configuration to expand the number of modules (e.g., devices) that may be connected to the modular communication hub 203 and transfer data associated with the modules to the computer system 210, cloud computing resources, or both. As shown in FIG. 10, each of the network hubs/switches in the modular communication hub 203 includes three downstream ports and one upstream port. The upstream network hub/switch is connected to a processor to provide a communication connection to the cloud computing resources and a local display 217. Communication to the cloud 204 may be made either through a wired or a wireless communication channel.

The surgical hub 206 employs a non-contact sensor module 242 to measure the dimensions of the operating theater and generate a map of the surgical theater using either ultrasonic or laser-type non-contact measurement devices. An ultrasound-based non-contact sensor module scans the operating theater by transmitting a burst of ultrasound and receiving the echo when it bounces off the perimeter walls of an operating theater as described under the heading “Surgical Hub Spatial Awareness Within an Operating Room” in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, in which the sensor module is configured to determine the size of the operating theater and to adjust Bluetooth-pairing distance limits. A laser-based non-contact sensor module scans the operating theater by transmitting laser light pulses, receiving laser light pulses that bounce off the perimeter walls of the operating theater, and comparing the phase of the transmitted pulse to the received pulse to determine the size of the operating theater and to adjust Bluetooth pairing distance limits, for example.

The computer system 210 comprises a processor 244 and a network interface 245. The processor 244 is coupled to a communication module 247, storage 248, memory 249, non-volatile memory 250, and input/output interface 251 via a system bus. The system bus can be any of several types of bus structure(s) including the memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus or external bus, and/or a local bus using any variety of available bus architectures including, but not limited to, 9-bit bus, Industrial Standard Architecture (ISA), Micro-Charmel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA (EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), USB, Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory Card International Association bus (PCMCIA), Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI), or any other proprietary bus.

The processor 244 may be any single-core or multicore processor such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex by Texas Instruments. In one aspect, the processor may be an LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F Processor Core, available from Texas Instruments, for example, comprising an on-chip memory of 256 KB single-cycle flash memory, or other non-volatile memory, up to 40 MHz, a prefetch buffer to improve performance above 40 MHz, a 32 KB single-cycle serial random access memory (SRAM), an internal read-only memory (ROM) loaded with StellarisWare® software, a 2 KB electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or one or more pulse width modulation (PWM) modules, one or more quadrature encoder inputs (QEI) analogs, one or more 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with 12 analog input channels, details of which are available for the product datasheet.

In one aspect, the processor 244 may comprise a safety controller comprising two controller-based families such as TMS570 and RM4x, known under the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4, also by Texas Instruments. The safety controller may be configured specifically for IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety critical applications, among others, to provide advanced integrated safety features while delivering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

The system memory includes volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basic routines to transfer information between elements within the computer system, such as during start-up, is stored in non-volatile memory. For example, the non-volatile memory can include ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), EEPROM, or flash memory. Volatile memory includes random-access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. Moreover, RAM is available in many forms such as SRAM, dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).

The computer system 210 also includes removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media, such as for example disk storage. The disk storage includes, but is not limited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, tape drive, Jaz drive, Zip drive, LS-60 drive, flash memory card, or memory stick. In addition, the disk storage can include storage media separately or in combination with other storage media including, but not limited to, an optical disc drive such as a compact disc ROM device (CD-ROM), compact disc recordable drive (CD-R Drive), compact disc rewritable drive (CD-RW Drive), or a digital versatile disc ROM drive (DVD-ROM). To facilitate the connection of the disk storage devices to the system bus, a removable or non-removable interface may be employed.

It is to be appreciated that the computer system 210 includes software that acts as an intermediary between users and the basic computer resources described in a suitable operating environment. Such software includes an operating system. The operating system, which can be stored on the disk storage, acts to control and allocate resources of the computer system. System applications take advantage of the management of resources by the operating system through program modules and program data stored either in the system memory or on the disk storage. It is to be appreciated that various components described herein can be implemented with various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user enters commands or information into the computer system 210 through input device(s) coupled to the I/O interface 251. The input devices include, but are not limited to, a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad, keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TV tuner card, digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, and the like. These and other input devices connect to the processor through the system bus via interface port(s). The interface port(s) include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, and a USB. The output device(s) use some of the same types of ports as input device(s). Thus, for example, a USB port may be used to provide input to the computer system and to output information from the computer system to an output device. An output adapter is provided to illustrate that there are some output devices like monitors, displays, speakers, and printers, among other output devices that require special adapters. The output adapters include, by way of illustration and not limitation, video and sound cards that provide a means of connection between the output device and the system bus. It should be noted that other devices and/or systems of devices, such as remote computer(s), provide both input and output capabilities.

The computer system 210 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as cloud computer(s), or local computers. The remote cloud computer(s) can be a personal computer, server, router, network PC, workstation, microprocessor-based appliance, peer device, or other common network node, and the like, and typically includes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer system. For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device is illustrated with the remote computer(s). The remote computer(s) is logically connected to the computer system through a network interface and then physically connected via a communication connection. The network interface encompasses communication networks such as local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet/IEEE 802.3, Token Ring/IEEE 802.5 and the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limited to, point-to-point links, circuit-switching networks like Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN) and variations thereon, packet-switching networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).

In various aspects, the computer system 210 of FIG. 10, the imaging module 238 and/or visualization system 208, and/or the processor module 232 of FIGS. 9-10, may comprise an image processor, image processing engine, media processor, or any specialized digital signal processor (DSP) used for the processing of digital images. The image processor may employ parallel computing with single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) or multiple instruction, multiple data (MIMD) technologies to increase speed and efficiency. The digital image processing engine can perform a range of tasks. The image processor may be a system on a chip with multicore processor architecture.

The communication connection(s) refers to the hardware/software employed to connect the network interface to the bus. While the communication connection is shown for illustrative clarity inside the computer system, it can also be external to the computer system 210. The hardware/software necessary for connection to the network interface includes, for illustrative purposes only, internal and external technologies such as modems, including regular telephone-grade modems, cable modems, and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and Ethernet cards.

FIG. 11 illustrates a functional block diagram of one aspect of a USB network hub 300 device, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In the illustrated aspect, the USB network hub device 300 employs a TUSB2036 integrated circuit hub by Texas Instruments. The USB network hub 300 is a CMOS device that provides an upstream USB transceiver port 302 and up to three downstream USB transceiver ports 304, 306, 308 in compliance with the USB 2.0 specification. The upstream USB transceiver port 302 is a differential root data port comprising a differential data minus (DM0) input paired with a differential data plus (DP0) input. The three downstream USB transceiver ports 304, 306, 308 are differential data ports where each port includes differential data plus (DP1-DP3) outputs paired with differential data minus (DM1-DM3) outputs.

The USB network hub 300 device is implemented with a digital state machine instead of a microcontroller, and no firmware programming is required. Fully compliant USB transceivers are integrated into the circuit for the upstream USB transceiver port 302 and all downstream USB transceiver ports 304, 306, 308. The downstream USB transceiver ports 304, 306, 308 support both full-speed and low-speed devices by automatically setting the slew rate according to the speed of the device attached to the ports. The USB network hub 300 device may be configured either in bus-powered or self-powered mode and includes a hub power logic 312 to manage power.

The USB network hub 300 device includes a serial interface engine 310 (SIE). The SIE 310 is the front end of the USB network hub 300 hardware and handles most of the protocol described in chapter 8 of the USB specification. The SIE 310 typically comprehends signaling up to the transaction level. The functions that it handles could include: packet recognition, transaction sequencing, SOP, EOP, RESET, and RESUME signal detection/generation, clock/data separation, non-return-to-zero invert (NRZI) data encoding/decoding and bit-stuffing, CRC generation and checking (token and data), packet ID (PID) generation and checking/decoding, and/or serial-parallel/parallel-serial conversion. The 310 receives a clock input 314 and is coupled to a suspend/resume logic and frame timer 316 circuit and a hub repeater circuit 318 to control communication between the upstream USB transceiver port 302 and the downstream USB transceiver ports 304, 306, 308 through port logic circuits 320, 322, 324. The SIE 310 is coupled to a command decoder 326 via interface logic to control commands from a serial EEPROM via a serial EEPROM interface 330.

In various aspects, the USB network hub 300 can connect 127 functions configured in up to six logical layers (tiers) to a single computer. Further, the USB network hub 300 can connect to all peripherals using a standardized four-wire cable that provides both communication and power distribution. The power configurations are bus-powered and self-powered modes. The USB network hub 300 may be configured to support four modes of power management: a bus-powered hub, with either individual-port power management or ganged-port power management, and the self-powered hub, with either individual-port power management or ganged-port power management. In one aspect, using a USB cable, the USB network hub 300, the upstream USB transceiver port 302 is plugged into a USB host controller, and the downstream USB transceiver ports 304, 306, 308 are exposed for connecting USB compatible devices, and so forth.

Surgical Instrument Hardware

FIG. 12 illustrates a logic diagram of a control system 470 of a surgical instrument or tool in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The system 470 comprises a control circuit. The control circuit includes a microcontroller 461 comprising a processor 462 and a memory 468. One or more of sensors 472, 474, 476, for example, provide real-time feedback to the processor 462. A motor 482, driven by a motor driver 492, operably couples a longitudinally movable displacement member to drive the I-beam knife element. A tracking system 480 is configured to determine the position of the longitudinally movable displacement member. The position information is provided to the processor 462, which can be programmed or configured to determine the position of the longitudinally movable drive member as well as the position of a firing member, firing bar, and I-beam knife element. Additional motors may be provided at the tool driver interface to control I-beam firing, closure tube travel, shaft rotation, and articulation. A display 473 displays a variety of operating conditions of the instruments and may include touch screen functionality for data input. Information displayed on the display 473 may be overlaid with images acquired via endoscopic imaging modules.

In one aspect, the microcontroller 461 may be any single-core or multicore processor such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex by Texas Instruments. In one aspect, the main microcontroller 461 may be an LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F Processor Core, available from Texas Instruments, for example, comprising an on-chip memory of 256 KB single-cycle flash memory, or other non-volatile memory, up to 40 MHz, a prefetch buffer to improve performance above 40 MHz, a 32 KB single-cycle SRAM, and internal ROM loaded with StellarisWare® software, a 2 KB EEPROM, one or more PWM modules, one or more QEI analogs, and/or one or more 12-bit ADCs with 12 analog input channels, details of which are available for the product datasheet.

In one aspect, the microcontroller 461 may comprise a safety controller comprising two controller-based families such as TMS570 and RM4x, known under the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4, also by Texas Instruments. The safety controller may be configured specifically for IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety critical applications, among others, to provide advanced integrated safety features while delivering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

The microcontroller 461 may be programmed to perform various functions such as precise control over the speed and position of the knife and articulation systems. In one aspect, the microcontroller 461 includes a processor 462 and a memory 468. The electric motor 482 may be a brushed direct current (DC) motor with a gearbox and mechanical links to an articulation or knife system. In one aspect, a motor driver 492 may be an A3941 available from Allegro Microsystems, Inc. Other motor drivers may be readily substituted for use in the tracking system 480 comprising an absolute positioning system. A detailed description of an absolute positioning system is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0296213, titled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTING INSTRUMENT, which published on Oct. 19, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The microcontroller 461 may be programmed to provide precise control over the speed and position of displacement members and articulation systems. The microcontroller 461 may be configured to compute a response in the software of the microcontroller 461. The computed response is compared to a measured response of the actual system to obtain an “observed” response, which is used for actual feedback decisions. The observed response is a favorable, tuned value that balances the smooth, continuous nature of the simulated response with the measured response, which can detect outside influences on the system.

In one aspect, the motor 482 may be controlled by the motor driver 492 and can be employed by the firing system of the surgical instrument or tool. In various forms, the motor 482 may be a brushed DC driving motor having a maximum rotational speed of approximately 25,000 RPM. In other arrangements, the motor 482 may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor driver 492 may comprise an H-bridge driver comprising field-effect transistors (FETs), for example. The motor 482 can be powered by a power assembly releasably mounted to the handle assembly or tool housing for supplying control power to the surgical instrument or tool. The power assembly may comprise a battery which may include a number of battery cells connected in series that can be used as the power source to power the surgical instrument or tool. In certain circumstances, the battery cells of the power assembly may be replaceable and/or rechargeable. In at least one example, the battery cells can be lithium-ion batteries which can be couplable to and separable from the power assembly.

The motor driver 492 may be an A3941 available from Allegro Microsystems, Inc. The A3941 492 is a full-bridge controller for use with external N-channel power metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) specifically designed for inductive loads, such as brush DC motors. The driver 492 comprises a unique charge pump regulator that provides full (>10 V) gate drive for battery voltages down to 7 V and allows the A3941 to operate with a reduced gate drive, down to 5.5 V. A bootstrap capacitor may be employed to provide the above battery supply voltage required for N-channel MOSFETs. An internal charge pump for the high-side drive allows DC (100% duty cycle) operation. The full bridge can be driven in fast or slow decay modes using diode or synchronous rectification. In the slow decay mode, current recirculation can be through the high-side or the lowside FETs. The power FETs are protected from shoot-through by resistor-adjustable dead time. Integrated diagnostics provide indications of undervoltage, overtemperature, and power bridge faults and can be configured to protect the power MOSFETs under most short circuit conditions. Other motor drivers may be readily substituted for use in the tracking system 480 comprising an absolute positioning system.

The tracking system 480 comprises a controlled motor drive circuit arrangement comprising a position sensor 472 according to one aspect of this disclosure. The position sensor 472 for an absolute positioning system provides a unique position signal corresponding to the location of a displacement member. In one aspect, the displacement member represents a longitudinally movable drive member comprising a rack of drive teeth for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear of a gear reducer assembly. In other aspects, the displacement member represents the firing member, which could be adapted and configured to include a rack of drive teeth. In yet another aspect, the displacement member represents a firing bar or the I-beam, each of which can be adapted and configured to include a rack of drive teeth. Accordingly, as used herein, the term displacement member is used generically to refer to any movable member of the surgical instrument or tool such as the drive member, the firing member, the firing bar, the I-beam, or any element that can be displaced. In one aspect, the longitudinally movable drive member is coupled to the firing member, the firing bar, and the I-beam. Accordingly, the absolute positioning system can, in effect, track the linear displacement of the I-beam by tracking the linear displacement of the longitudinally movable drive member. In various other aspects, the displacement member may be coupled to any position sensor 472 suitable for measuring linear displacement. Thus, the longitudinally movable drive member, the firing member, the firing bar, or the I-beam, or combinations thereof, may be coupled to any suitable linear displacement sensor. Linear displacement sensors may include contact or non-contact displacement sensors. Linear displacement sensors may comprise linear variable differential transformers (LVDT), differential variable reluctance transducers (DVRT), a slide potentiometer, a magnetic sensing system comprising a movable magnet and a series of linearly arranged Hall effect sensors, a magnetic sensing system comprising a fixed magnet and a series of movable, linearly arranged Hall effect sensors, an optical sensing system comprising a movable light source and a series of linearly arranged photo diodes or photo detectors, an optical sensing system comprising a fixed light source and a series of movable linearly, arranged photo diodes or photo detectors, or any combination thereof.

The electric motor 482 can include a rotatable shaft that operably interfaces with a gear assembly that is mounted in meshing engagement with a set, or rack, of drive teeth on the displacement member. A sensor element may be operably coupled to a gear assembly such that a single revolution of the position sensor 472 element corresponds to some linear longitudinal translation of the displacement member. An arrangement of gearing and sensors can be connected to the linear actuator, via a rack and pinion arrangement, or a rotary actuator, via a spur gear or other connection. A power source supplies power to the absolute positioning system and an output indicator may display the output of the absolute positioning system. The displacement member represents the longitudinally movable drive member comprising a rack of drive teeth formed thereon for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear of the gear reducer assembly. The displacement member represents the longitudinally movable firing member, firing bar, I-beam, or combinations thereof.

A single revolution of the sensor element associated with the position sensor 472 is equivalent to a longitudinal linear displacement d1 of the of the displacement member, where d1 is the longitudinal linear distance that the displacement member moves from point “a” to point “b” after a single revolution of the sensor element coupled to the displacement member. The sensor arrangement may be connected via a gear reduction that results in the position sensor 472 completing one or more revolutions for the full stroke of the displacement member. The position sensor 472 may complete multiple revolutions for the full stroke of the displacement member.

A series of switches, where n is an integer greater than one, may be employed alone or in combination with a gear reduction to provide a unique position signal for more than one revolution of the position sensor 472. The state of the switches are fed back to the microcontroller 461 that applies logic to determine a unique position signal corresponding to the longitudinal linear displacement d1+d2+ . . . dn of the displacement member. The output of the position sensor 472 is provided to the microcontroller 461. The position sensor 472 of the sensor arrangement may comprise a magnetic sensor, an analog rotary sensor like a potentiometer, or an array of analog Hall-effect elements, which output a unique combination of position signals or values.

The position sensor 472 may comprise any number of magnetic sensing elements, such as, for example, magnetic sensors classified according to whether they measure the total magnetic field or the vector components of the magnetic field. The techniques used to produce both types of magnetic sensors encompass many aspects of physics and electronics. The technologies used for magnetic field sensing include search coil, fluxgate, optically pumped, nuclear precession, SQUID, Hall-effect, anisotropic magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance, magnetic tunnel junctions, giant magnetoimpedance, magnetostrictive/piezoelectric composites, magnetodiode, magnetotransistor, fiber-optic, magneto-optic, and microelectromechanical systems-based magnetic sensors, among others.

In one aspect, the position sensor 472 for the tracking system 480 comprising an absolute positioning system comprises a magnetic rotary absolute positioning system. The position sensor 472 may be implemented as an AS5055EQFT single-chip magnetic rotary position sensor available from Austria Microsystems, AG. The position sensor 472 is interfaced with the microcontroller 461 to provide an absolute positioning system. The position sensor 472 is a low-voltage and low-power component and includes four Hall-effect elements in an area of the position sensor 472 that is located above a magnet. A high-resolution ADC and a smart power management controller are also provided on the chip. A coordinate rotation digital computer (CORDIC) processor, also known as the digit-by-digit method and Volder's algorithm, is provided to implement a simple and efficient algorithm to calculate hyperbolic and trigonometric functions that require only addition, subtraction, bitshift, and table lookup operations. The angle position, alarm bits, and magnetic field information are transmitted over a standard serial communication interface, such as a serial peripheral interface (SPI) interface, to the microcontroller 461. The position sensor 472 provides 12 or 14 bits of resolution. The position sensor 472 may be an AS5055 chip provided in a small QFN 16-pin 4×4×0.85 mm package.

The tracking system 480 comprising an absolute positioning system may comprise and/or be programmed to implement a feedback controller, such as a PID, state feedback, and adaptive controller. A power source converts the signal from the feedback controller into a physical input to the system: in this case the voltage. Other examples include a PWM of the voltage, current, and force. Other sensor(s) may be provided to measure physical parameters of the physical system in addition to the position measured by the position sensor 472. In some aspects, the other sensor(s) can include sensor arrangements such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,481, titled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, which issued on May 24, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263552, titled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, which published on Sep. 18, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/628,175, titled TECHNIQUES FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF MOTOR VELOCITY OF A SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTING INSTRUMENT, filed Jun. 20, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In a digital signal processing system, an absolute positioning system is coupled to a digital data acquisition system where the output of the absolute positioning system will have a finite resolution and sampling frequency. The absolute positioning system may comprise a compare-and-combine circuit to combine a computed response with a measured response using algorithms, such as a weighted average and a theoretical control loop, that drive the computed response towards the measured response. The computed response of the physical system takes into account properties like mass, inertial, viscous friction, inductance resistance, etc., to predict what the states and outputs of the physical system will be by knowing the input.

The absolute positioning system provides an absolute position of the displacement member upon power-up of the instrument, without retracting or advancing the displacement member to a reset (zero or home) position as may be required with conventional rotary encoders that merely count the number of steps forwards or backwards that the motor 482 has taken to infer the position of a device actuator, drive bar, knife, or the like.

A sensor 474, such as, for example, a strain gauge or a micro-strain gauge, is configured to measure one or more parameters of the end effector, such as, for example, the amplitude of the strain exerted on the anvil during a clamping operation, which can be indicative of the closure forces applied to the anvil. The measured strain is converted to a digital signal and provided to the processor 462. Alternatively, or in addition to the sensor 474, a sensor 476, such as, for example, a load sensor, can measure the closure force applied by the closure drive system to the anvil. The sensor 476, such as, for example, a load sensor, can measure the firing force applied to an I-beam in a firing stroke of the surgical instrument or tool. The I-beam is configured to engage a wedge sled, which is configured to upwardly cam staple drivers to force out staples into deforming contact with an anvil. The I-beam also includes a sharpened cutting edge that can be used to sever tissue as the I-beam is advanced distally by the firing bar. Alternatively, a current sensor 478 can be employed to measure the current drawn by the motor 482. The force required to advance the firing member can correspond to the current drawn by the motor 482, for example. The measured force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the processor 462.

In one form, the strain gauge sensor 474 can be used to measure the force applied to the tissue by the end effector. A strain gauge can be coupled to the end effector to measure the force on the tissue being treated by the end effector. A system for measuring forces applied to the tissue grasped by the end effector comprises a strain gauge sensor 474, such as, for example, a micro-strain gauge, that is configured to measure one or more parameters of the end effector, for example. In one aspect, the strain gauge sensor 474 can measure the amplitude or magnitude of the strain exerted on a jaw member of an end effector during a clamping operation, which can be indicative of the tissue compression. The measured strain is converted to a digital signal and provided to a processor 462 of the microcontroller 461. A load sensor 476 can measure the force used to operate the knife element, for example, to cut the tissue captured between the anvil and the staple cartridge. A magnetic field sensor can be employed to measure the thickness of the captured tissue. The measurement of the magnetic field sensor also may be converted to a digital signal and provided to the processor 462.

The measurements of the tissue compression, the tissue thickness, and/or the force required to close the end effector on the tissue, as respectively measured by the sensors 474, 476, can be used by the microcontroller 461 to characterize the selected position of the firing member and/or the corresponding value of the speed of the firing member. In one instance, a memory 468 may store a technique, an equation, and/or a lookup table which can be employed by the microcontroller 461 in the assessment.

The control system 470 of the surgical instrument or tool also may comprise wired or wireless communication circuits to communicate with the modular communication hub as shown in FIGS. 8-11.

FIG. 13 illustrates a control circuit 500 configured to control aspects of the surgical instrument or tool according to one aspect of this disclosure. The control circuit 500 can be configured to implement various processes described herein. The control circuit 500 may comprise a microcontroller comprising one or more processors 502 (e.g., microprocessor, microcontroller) coupled to at least one memory circuit 504. The memory circuit 504 stores machine-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor 502, cause the processor 502 to execute machine instructions to implement various processes described herein. The processor 502 may be any one of a number of single-core or multicore processors known in the art. The memory circuit 504 may comprise volatile and non-volatile storage media. The processor 502 may include an instruction processing unit 506 and an arithmetic unit 508. The instruction processing unit may be configured to receive instructions from the memory circuit 504 of this disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a combinational logic circuit 510 configured to control aspects of the surgical instrument or tool according to one aspect of this disclosure. The combinational logic circuit 510 can be configured to implement various processes described herein. The combinational logic circuit 510 may comprise a finite state machine comprising a combinational logic 512 configured to receive data associated with the surgical instrument or tool at an input 514, process the data by the combinational logic 512, and provide an output 516.

FIG. 15 illustrates a sequential logic circuit 520 configured to control aspects of the surgical instrument or tool according to one aspect of this disclosure. The sequential logic circuit 520 or the combinational logic 522 can be configured to implement various processes described herein. The sequential logic circuit 520 may comprise a finite state machine. The sequential logic circuit 520 may comprise a combinational logic 522, at least one memory circuit 524, and a clock 529, for example. The at least one memory circuit 524 can store a current state of the finite state machine. In certain instances, the sequential logic circuit 520 may be synchronous or asynchronous. The combinational logic 522 is configured to receive data associated with the surgical instrument or tool from an input 526, process the data by the combinational logic 522, and provide an output 528. In other aspects, the circuit may comprise a combination of a processor (e.g., processor 502, FIG. 13) and a finite state machine to implement various processes herein. In other aspects, the finite state machine may comprise a combination of a combinational logic circuit (e.g., combinational logic circuit 510, FIG. 14) and the sequential logic circuit 520.

FIG. 16 illustrates a surgical instrument or tool comprising a plurality of motors which can be activated to perform various functions. In certain instances, a first motor can be activated to perform a first function, a second motor can be activated to perform a second function, a third motor can be activated to perform a third function, a fourth motor can be activated to perform a fourth function, and so on. In certain instances, the plurality of motors of robotic surgical instrument 600 can be individually activated to cause firing, closure, and/or articulation motions in the end effector. The firing, closure, and/or articulation motions can be transmitted to the end effector through a shaft assembly, for example.

In certain instances, the surgical instrument system or tool may include a firing motor 602. The firing motor 602 may be operably coupled to a firing motor drive assembly 604 which can be configured to transmit firing motions, generated by the motor 602 to the end effector, in particular to displace the I-beam element. In certain instances, the firing motions generated by the motor 602 may cause the staples to be deployed from the staple cartridge into tissue captured by the end effector and/or the cutting edge of the I-beam element to be advanced to cut the captured tissue, for example. The I-beam element may be retracted by reversing the direction of the motor 602.

In certain instances, the surgical instrument or tool may include a closure motor 603. The closure motor 603 may be operably coupled to a closure motor drive assembly 605 which can be configured to transmit closure motions, generated by the motor 603 to the end effector, in particular to displace a closure tube to close the anvil and compress tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The closure motions may cause the end effector to transition from an open configuration to an approximated configuration to capture tissue, for example. The end effector may be transitioned to an open position by reversing the direction of the motor 603.

In certain instances, the surgical instrument or tool may include one or more articulation motors 606 a, 606 b, for example. The motors 606 a, 606 b may be operably coupled to respective articulation motor drive assemblies 608 a, 608 b, which can be configured to transmit articulation motions generated by the motors 606 a, 606 b to the end effector. In certain instances, the articulation motions may cause the end effector to articulate relative to the shaft, for example.

As described above, the surgical instrument or tool may include a plurality of motors which may be configured to perform various independent functions. In certain instances, the plurality of motors of the surgical instrument or tool can be individually or separately activated to perform one or more functions while the other motors remain inactive. For example, the articulation motors 606 a, 606 b can be activated to cause the end effector to be articulated while the firing motor 602 remains inactive. Alternatively, the firing motor 602 can be activated to fire the plurality of staples, and/or to advance the cutting edge, while the articulation motor 606 remains inactive. Furthermore the closure motor 603 may be activated simultaneously with the firing motor 602 to cause the closure tube and the I-beam element to advance distally as described in more detail hereinbelow.

In certain instances, the surgical instrument or tool may include a common control module 610 which can be employed with a plurality of motors of the surgical instrument or tool. In certain instances, the common control module 610 may accommodate one of the plurality of motors at a time. For example, the common control module 610 can be couplable to and separable from the plurality of motors of the robotic surgical instrument individually. In certain instances, a plurality of the motors of the surgical instrument or tool may share one or more common control modules such as the common control module 610. In certain instances, a plurality of motors of the surgical instrument or tool can be individually and selectively engaged with the common control module 610. In certain instances, the common control module 610 can be selectively switched from interfacing with one of a plurality of motors of the surgical instrument or tool to interfacing with another one of the plurality of motors of the surgical instrument or tool.

In at least one example, the common control module 610 can be selectively switched between operable engagement with the articulation motors 606 a, 606 b and operable engagement with either the firing motor 602 or the closure motor 603. In at least one example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, a switch 614 can be moved or transitioned between a plurality of positions and/or states. In a first position 616, the switch 614 may electrically couple the common control module 610 to the firing motor 602; in a second position 617, the switch 614 may electrically couple the common control module 610 to the closure motor 603; in a third position 618 a, the switch 614 may electrically couple the common control module 610 to the first articulation motor 606 a; and in a fourth position 618 b, the switch 614 may electrically couple the common control module 610 to the second articulation motor 606 b, for example. In certain instances, separate common control modules 610 can be electrically coupled to the firing motor 602, the closure motor 603, and the articulations motor 606 a, 606 b at the same time. In certain instances, the switch 614 may be a mechanical switch, an electromechanical switch, a solid-state switch, or any suitable switching mechanism.

Each of the motors 602, 603, 606 a, 606 b may comprise a torque sensor to measure the output torque on the shaft of the motor. The force on an end effector may be sensed in any conventional manner, such as by force sensors on the outer sides of the jaws or by a torque sensor for the motor actuating the jaws.

In various instances, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the common control module 610 may comprise a motor driver 626 which may comprise one or more H-Bridge FETs. The motor driver 626 may modulate the power transmitted from a power source 628 to a motor coupled to the common control module 610 based on input from a microcontroller 620 (the “controller”), for example. In certain instances, the microcontroller 620 can be employed to determine the current drawn by the motor, for example, while the motor is coupled to the common control module 610, as described above.

In certain instances, the microcontroller 620 may include a microprocessor 622 (the “processor”) and one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediums or memory units 624 (the “memory”). In certain instances, the memory 624 may store various program instructions, which when executed may cause the processor 622 to perform a plurality of functions and/or calculations described herein. In certain instances, one or more of the memory units 624 may be coupled to the processor 622, for example.

In certain instances, the power source 628 can be employed to supply power to the microcontroller 620, for example. In certain instances, the power source 628 may comprise a battery (or “battery pack” or “power pack”), such as a lithium-ion battery, for example. In certain instances, the battery pack may be configured to be releasably mounted to a handle for supplying power to the surgical instrument 600. A number of battery cells connected in series may be used as the power source 628. In certain instances, the power source 628 may be replaceable and/or rechargeable, for example.

In various instances, the processor 622 may control the motor driver 626 to control the position, direction of rotation, and/or velocity of a motor that is coupled to the common control module 610. In certain instances, the processor 622 can signal the motor driver 626 to stop and/or disable a motor that is coupled to the common control module 610. It should be understood that the term “processor” as used herein includes any suitable microprocessor, microcontroller, or other basic computing device that incorporates the functions of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) on an integrated circuit or, at most, a few integrated circuits. The processor is a multipurpose, programmable device that accepts digital data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and provides results as output. It is an example of sequential digital logic, as it has internal memory. Processors operate on numbers and symbols represented in the binary numeral system.

In one instance, the processor 622 may be any single-core or multicore processor such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex by Texas Instruments. In certain instances, the microcontroller 620 may be an LM 4F230H5QR, available from Texas Instruments, for example. In at least one example, the Texas Instruments LM4F230H5QR is an ARM Cortex-M4F Processor Core comprising an on-chip memory of 256 KB single-cycle flash memory, or other non-volatile memory, up to 40 MHz, a prefetch buffer to improve performance above 40 MHz, a 32 KB single-cycle SRAM, an internal ROM loaded with StellarisWare® software, a 2 KB EEPROM, one or more PWM modules, one or more QEI analogs, one or more 12-bit ADCs with 12 analog input channels, among other features that are readily available for the product datasheet. Other microcontrollers may be readily substituted for use with the module 4410. Accordingly, the present disclosure should not be limited in this context.

In certain instances, the memory 624 may include program instructions for controlling each of the motors of the surgical instrument 600 that are couplable to the common control module 610. For example, the memory 624 may include program instructions for controlling the firing motor 602, the closure motor 603, and the articulation motors 606 a, 606 b. Such program instructions may cause the processor 622 to control the firing, closure, and articulation functions in accordance with inputs from algorithms or control programs of the surgical instrument or tool.

In certain instances, one or more mechanisms and/or sensors such as, for example, sensors 630 can be employed to alert the processor 622 to the program instructions that should be used in a particular setting. For example, the sensors 630 may alert the processor 622 to use the program instructions associated with firing, closing, and articulating the end effector. In certain instances, the sensors 630 may comprise position sensors which can be employed to sense the position of the switch 614, for example. Accordingly, the processor 622 may use the program instructions associated with firing the I-beam of the end effector upon detecting, through the sensors 630 for example, that the switch 614 is in the first position 616; the processor 622 may use the program instructions associated with closing the anvil upon detecting, through the sensors 630 for example, that the switch 614 is in the second position 617; and the processor 622 may use the program instructions associated with articulating the end effector upon detecting, through the sensors 630 for example, that the switch 614 is in the third or fourth position 618 a, 618 b.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a robotic surgical instrument 700 configured to operate a surgical tool described herein according to one aspect of this disclosure. The robotic surgical instrument 700 may be programmed or configured to control distal/proximal translation of a displacement member, distal/proximal displacement of a closure tube, shaft rotation, and articulation, either with single or multiple articulation drive links. In one aspect, the surgical instrument 700 may be programmed or configured to individually control a firing member, a closure member, a shaft member, and/or one or more articulation members. The surgical instrument 700 comprises a control circuit 710 configured to control motor-driven firing members, closure members, shaft members, and/or one or more articulation members.

In one aspect, the robotic surgical instrument 700 comprises a control circuit 710 configured to control an anvil 716 and an I-beam 714 (including a sharp cutting edge) portion of an end effector 702, a removable staple cartridge 718, a shaft 740, and one or more articulation members 742 a, 742 b via a plurality of motors 704 a-704 e. A position sensor 734 may be configured to provide position feedback of the I-beam 714 to the control circuit 710. Other sensors 738 may be configured to provide feedback to the control circuit 710. A timer/counter 731 provides timing and counting information to the control circuit 710. An energy source 712 may be provided to operate the motors 704 a-704 e, and a current sensor 736 provides motor current feedback to the control circuit 710. The motors 704 a-704 e can be operated individually by the control circuit 710 in an open-loop or closed-loop feedback control.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 may comprise one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other suitable processors for executing instructions that cause the processor or processors to perform one or more tasks. In one aspect, a timer/counter 731 provides an output signal, such as the elapsed time or a digital count, to the control circuit 710 to correlate the position of the I-beam 714 as determined by the position sensor 734 with the output of the timer/counter 731 such that the control circuit 710 can determine the position of the I-beam 714 at a specific time (t) relative to a starting position or the time (t) when the I-beam 714 is at a specific position relative to a starting position. The timer/counter 731 may be configured to measure elapsed time, count external events, or time external events.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 may be programmed to control functions of the end effector 702 based on one or more tissue conditions. The control circuit 710 may be programmed to sense tissue conditions, such as thickness, either directly or indirectly, as described herein. The control circuit 710 may be programmed to select a firing control program or closure control program based on tissue conditions. A firing control program may describe the distal motion of the displacement member. Different firing control programs may be selected to better treat different tissue conditions. For example, when thicker tissue is present, the control circuit 710 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a lower velocity and/or with lower power. When thinner tissue is present, the control circuit 710 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a higher velocity and/or with higher power. A closure control program may control the closure force applied to the tissue by the anvil 716. Other control programs control the rotation of the shaft 740 and the articulation members 742 a, 742 b.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 may generate motor set point signals. The motor set point signals may be provided to various motor controllers 708 a-708 e. The motor controllers 708 a-708 e may comprise one or more circuits configured to provide motor drive signals to the motors 704 a-704 e to drive the motors 704 a-704 e as described herein. In some examples, the motors 704 a-704 e may be brushed DC electric motors. For example, the velocity of the motors 704 a-704 e may be proportional to the respective motor drive signals. In some examples, the motors 704 a-704 e may be brushless DC electric motors, and the respective motor drive signals may comprise a PWM signal provided to one or more stator windings of the motors 704 a-704 e. Also, in some examples, the motor controllers 708 a-708 e may be omitted and the control circuit 710 may generate the motor drive signals directly.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 may initially operate each of the motors 704 a-704 e in an open-loop configuration for a first open-loop portion of a stroke of the displacement member. Based on the response of the robotic surgical instrument 700 during the open-loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 710 may select a firing control program in a closed-loop configuration. The response of the instrument may include a translation distance of the displacement member during the open-loop portion, a time elapsed during the open-loop portion, the energy provided to one of the motors 704 a-704 e during the open-loop portion, a sum of pulse widths of a motor drive signal, etc. After the open-loop portion, the control circuit 710 may implement the selected firing control program for a second portion of the displacement member stroke. For example, during a closed-loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 710 may modulate one of the motors 704 a-704 e based on translation data describing a position of the displacement member in a closed-loop manner to translate the displacement member at a constant velocity.

In one aspect, the motors 704 a-704 e may receive power from an energy source 712. The energy source 712 may be a DC power supply driven by a main alternating current power source, a battery, a super capacitor, or any other suitable energy source. The motors 704 a-704 e may be mechanically coupled to individual movable mechanical elements such as the I-beam 714, anvil 716, shaft 740, articulation 742 a, and articulation 742 b via respective transmissions 706 a-706 e. The transmissions 706 a-706 e may include one or more gears or other linkage components to couple the motors 704 a-704 e to movable mechanical elements. A position sensor 734 may sense a position of the I-beam 714. The position sensor 734 may be or include any type of sensor that is capable of generating position data that indicate a position of the I-beam 714. In some examples, the position sensor 734 may include an encoder configured to provide a series of pulses to the control circuit 710 as the I-beam 714 translates distally and proximally. The control circuit 710 may track the pulses to determine the position of the I-beam 714. Other suitable position sensors may be used, including, for example, a proximity sensor. Other types of position sensors may provide other signals indicating motion of the I-beam 714. Also, in some examples, the position sensor 734 may be omitted. Where any of the motors 704 a-704 e is a stepper motor, the control circuit 710 may track the position of the I-beam 714 by aggregating the number and direction of steps that the motor 704 has been instructed to execute. The position sensor 734 may be located in the end effector 702 or at any other portion of the instrument. The outputs of each of the motors 704 a-704 e include a torque sensor 744 a-744 e to sense force and have an encoder to sense rotation of the drive shaft.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to drive a firing member such as the I-beam 714 portion of the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor set point to a motor control 708 a, which provides a drive signal to the motor 704 a. The output shaft of the motor 704 a is coupled to a torque sensor 744 a. The torque sensor 744 a is coupled to a transmission 706 a which is coupled to the I-beam 714. The transmission 706 a comprises movable mechanical elements such as rotating elements and a firing member to control the movement of the I-beam 714 distally and proximally along a longitudinal axis of the end effector 702. In one aspect, the motor 704 a may be coupled to the knife gear assembly, which includes a knife gear reduction set that includes a first knife drive gear and a second knife drive gear. A torque sensor 744 a provides a firing force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The firing force signal represents the force required to fire or displace the I-beam 714. A position sensor 734 may be configured to provide the position of the I-beam 714 along the firing stroke or the position of the firing member as a feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The end effector 702 may include additional sensors 738 configured to provide feedback signals to the control circuit 710. When ready to use, the control circuit 710 may provide a firing signal to the motor control 708 a. In response to the firing signal, the motor 704 a may drive the firing member distally along the longitudinal axis of the end effector 702 from a proximal stroke start position to a stroke end position distal to the stroke start position. As the firing member translates distally, an I-beam 714, with a cutting element positioned at a distal end, advances distally to cut tissue located between the staple cartridge 718 and the anvil 716.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to drive a closure member such as the anvil 716 portion of the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor set point to a motor control 708 b, which provides a drive signal to the motor 704 b. The output shaft of the motor 704 b is coupled to a torque sensor 744 b. The torque sensor 744 b is coupled to a transmission 706 b which is coupled to the anvil 716. The transmission 706 b comprises movable mechanical elements such as rotating elements and a closure member to control the movement of the anvil 716 from the open and closed positions. In one aspect, the motor 704 b is coupled to a closure gear assembly, which includes a closure reduction gear set that is supported in meshing engagement with the closure spur gear. The torque sensor 744 b provides a closure force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The closure force feedback signal represents the closure force applied to the anvil 716. The position sensor 734 may be configured to provide the position of the closure member as a feedback signal to the control circuit 710. Additional sensors 738 in the end effector 702 may provide the closure force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The pivotable anvil 716 is positioned opposite the staple cartridge 718. When ready to use, the control circuit 710 may provide a closure signal to the motor control 708 b. In response to the closure signal, the motor 704 b advances a closure member to grasp tissue between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to rotate a shaft member such as the shaft 740 to rotate the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor set point to a motor control 708 c, which provides a drive signal to the motor 704 c. The output shaft of the motor 704 c is coupled to a torque sensor 744 c. The torque sensor 744 c is coupled to a transmission 706 c which is coupled to the shaft 740. The transmission 706 c comprises movable mechanical elements such as rotating elements to control the rotation of the shaft 740 clockwise or counterclockwise up to and over 360°. In one aspect, the motor 704 c is coupled to the rotational transmission assembly, which includes a tube gear segment that is formed on (or attached to) the proximal end of the proximal closure tube for operable engagement by a rotational gear assembly that is operably supported on the tool mounting plate. The torque sensor 744 c provides a rotation force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The rotation force feedback signal represents the rotation force applied to the shaft 740. The position sensor 734 may be configured to provide the position of the closure member as a feedback signal to the control circuit 710. Additional sensors 738 such as a shaft encoder may provide the rotational position of the shaft 740 to the control circuit 710.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 is configured to articulate the end effector 702. The control circuit 710 provides a motor set point to a motor control 708 d, which provides a drive signal to the motor 704 d. The output shaft of the motor 704 d is coupled to a torque sensor 744 d. The torque sensor 744 d is coupled to a transmission 706 d which is coupled to an articulation member 742 a. The transmission 706 d comprises movable mechanical elements such as articulation elements to control the articulation of the end effector 702±65°. In one aspect, the motor 704 d is coupled to an articulation nut, which is rotatably journaled on the proximal end portion of the distal spine portion and is rotatably driven thereon by an articulation gear assembly. The torque sensor 744 d provides an articulation force feedback signal to the control circuit 710. The articulation force feedback signal represents the articulation force applied to the end effector 702. Sensors 738, such as an articulation encoder, may provide the articulation position of the end effector 702 to the control circuit 710.

In another aspect, the articulation function of the robotic surgical system 700 may comprise two articulation members, or links, 742 a, 742 b. These articulation members 742 a, 742 b are driven by separate disks on the robot interface (the rack) which are driven by the two motors 708 d, 708 e. When the separate firing motor 704 a is provided, each of articulation links 742 a, 742 b can be antagonistically driven with respect to the other link in order to provide a resistive holding motion and a load to the head when it is not moving and to provide an articulation motion as the head is articulated. The articulation members 742 a, 742 b attach to the head at a fixed radius as the head is rotated. Accordingly, the mechanical advantage of the push-and-pull link changes as the head is rotated. This change in the mechanical advantage may be more pronounced with other articulation link drive systems.

In one aspect, the one or more motors 704 a-704 e may comprise a brushed DC motor with a gearbox and mechanical links to a firing member, closure member, or articulation member. Another example includes electric motors 704 a-704 e that operate the movable mechanical elements such as the displacement member, articulation links, closure tube, and shaft. An outside influence is an unmeasured, unpredictable influence of things like tissue, surrounding bodies, and friction on the physical system. Such outside influence can be referred to as drag, which acts in opposition to one of electric motors 704 a-704 e. The outside influence, such as drag, may cause the operation of the physical system to deviate from a desired operation of the physical system.

In one aspect, the position sensor 734 may be implemented as an absolute positioning system. In one aspect, the position sensor 734 may comprise a magnetic rotary absolute positioning system implemented as an AS5055EQFT single-chip magnetic rotary position sensor available from Austria Microsystems, AG. The position sensor 734 may interface with the control circuit 710 to provide an absolute positioning system. The position may include multiple Hall-effect elements located above a magnet and coupled to a CORDIC processor, also known as the digit-by-digit method and Volder's algorithm, that is provided to implement a simple and efficient algorithm to calculate hyperbolic and trigonometric functions that require only addition, subtraction, bitshift, and table lookup operations.

In one aspect, the control circuit 710 may be in communication with one or more sensors 738. The sensors 738 may be positioned on the end effector 702 and adapted to operate with the robotic surgical instrument 700 to measure the various derived parameters such as the gap distance versus time, tissue compression versus time, and anvil strain versus time. The sensors 738 may comprise a magnetic sensor, a magnetic field sensor, a strain gauge, a load cell, a pressure sensor, a force sensor, a torque sensor, an inductive sensor such as an eddy current sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an optical sensor, and/or any other suitable sensor for measuring one or more parameters of the end effector 702. The sensors 738 may include one or more sensors. The sensors 738 may be located on the staple cartridge 718 deck to determine tissue location using segmented electrodes. The torque sensors 744 a-744 e may be configured to sense force such as firing force, closure force, and/or articulation force, among others. Accordingly, the control circuit 710 can sense (1) the closure load experienced by the distal closure tube and its position, (2) the firing member at the rack and its position, (3) what portion of the staple cartridge 718 has tissue on it, and (4) the load and position on both articulation rods.

In one aspect, the one or more sensors 738 may comprise a strain gauge, such as a micro-strain gauge, configured to measure the magnitude of the strain in the anvil 716 during a clamped condition. The strain gauge provides an electrical signal whose amplitude varies with the magnitude of the strain. The sensors 738 may comprise a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure generated by the presence of compressed tissue between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718. The sensors 738 may be configured to detect impedance of a tissue section located between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718 that is indicative of the thickness and/or fullness of tissue located therebetween.

In one aspect, the sensors 738 may be implemented as one or more limit switches, electromechanical devices, solid-state switches, Hall-effect devices, magneto-resistive (MR) devices, giant magneto-resistive (GMR) devices, magnetometers, among others. In other implementations, the sensors 738 may be implemented as solid-state switches that operate under the influence of light, such as optical sensors, IR sensors, ultraviolet sensors, among others. Still, the switches may be solid-state devices such as transistors (e.g., FET, junction FET, MOSFET, bipolar, and the like). In other implementations, the sensors 738 may include electrical conductorless switches, ultrasonic switches, accelerometers, and inertial sensors, among others.

In one aspect, the sensors 738 may be configured to measure forces exerted on the anvil 716 by the closure drive system. For example, one or more sensors 738 can be at an interaction point between the closure tube and the anvil 716 to detect the closure forces applied by the closure tube to the anvil 716. The forces exerted on the anvil 716 can be representative of the tissue compression experienced by the tissue section captured between the anvil 716 and the staple cartridge 718. The one or more sensors 738 can be positioned at various interaction points along the closure drive system to detect the closure forces applied to the anvil 716 by the closure drive system. The one or more sensors 738 may be sampled in real time during a clamping operation by the processor of the control circuit 710. The control circuit 710 receives real-time sample measurements to provide and analyze time-based information and assess, in real time, closure forces applied to the anvil 716.

In one aspect, a current sensor 736 can be employed to measure the current drawn by each of the motors 704 a-704 e. The force required to advance any of the movable mechanical elements such as the I-beam 714 corresponds to the current drawn by one of the motors 704 a-704 e. The force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the control circuit 710. The control circuit 710 can be configured to simulate the response of the actual system of the instrument in the software of the controller. A displacement member can be actuated to move an I-beam 714 in the end effector 702 at or near a target velocity. The robotic surgical instrument 700 can include a feedback controller, which can be one of any feedback controllers, including, but not limited to a PID, a state feedback, a linear-quadratic (LQR), and/or an adaptive controller, for example. The robotic surgical instrument 700 can include a power source to convert the signal from the feedback controller into a physical input such as case voltage, PWM voltage, frequency modulated voltage, current, torque, and/or force, for example. Additional details are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/636,829, titled CLOSED LOOP VELOCITY CONTROL TECHNIQUES FOR ROBOTIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, filed Jun. 29, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of a surgical instrument 750 programmed to control the distal translation of a displacement member according to one aspect of this disclosure. In one aspect, the surgical instrument 750 is programmed to control the distal translation of a displacement member such as the I-beam 764. The surgical instrument 750 comprises an end effector 752 that may comprise an anvil 766, an I-beam 764 (including a sharp cutting edge), and a removable staple cartridge 768.

The position, movement, displacement, and/or translation of a linear displacement member, such as the I-beam 764, can be measured by an absolute positioning system, sensor arrangement, and position sensor 784. Because the I-beam 764 is coupled to a longitudinally movable drive member, the position of the I-beam 764 can be determined by measuring the position of the longitudinally movable drive member employing the position sensor 784. Accordingly, in the following description, the position, displacement, and/or translation of the !-beam 764 can be achieved by the position sensor 784 as described herein. A control circuit 760 may be programmed to control the translation of the displacement member, such as the I-beam 764. The control circuit 760, in some examples, may comprise one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other suitable processors for executing instructions that cause the processor or processors to control the displacement member, e.g., the I-beam 764, in the manner described. In one aspect, a timer/counter 781 provides an output signal, such as the elapsed time or a digital count, to the control circuit 760 to correlate the position of the I-beam 764 as determined by the position sensor 784 with the output of the timer/counter 781 such that the control circuit 760 can determine the position of the I-beam 764 at a specific time (t) relative to a starting position. The timer/counter 781 may be configured to measure elapsed time, count external events, or time external events.

The control circuit 760 may generate a motor set point signal 772. The motor set point signal 772 may be provided to a motor controller 758. The motor controller 758 may comprise one or more circuits configured to provide a motor drive signal 774 to the motor 754 to drive the motor 754 as described herein. In some examples, the motor 754 may be a brushed DC electric motor. For example, the velocity of the motor 754 may be proportional to the motor drive signal 774. In some examples, the motor 754 may be a brushless DC electric motor and the motor drive signal 774 may comprise a PWM signal provided to one or more stator windings of the motor 754. Also, in some examples, the motor controller 758 may be omitted, and the control circuit 760 may generate the motor drive signal 774 directly.

The motor 754 may receive power from an energy source 762. The energy source 762 may be or include a battery, a super capacitor, or any other suitable energy source. The motor 754 may be mechanically coupled to the I-beam 764 via a transmission 756. The transmission 756 may include one or more gears or other linkage components to couple the motor 754 to the I-beam 764. A position sensor 784 may sense a position of the I-beam 764. The position sensor 784 may be or include any type of sensor that is capable of generating position data that indicate a position of the I-beam 764. In some examples, the position sensor 784 may include an encoder configured to provide a series of pulses to the control circuit 760 as the I-beam 764 translates distally and proximally. The control circuit 760 may track the pulses to determine the position of the I-beam 764. Other suitable position sensors may be used, including, for example, a proximity sensor. Other types of position sensors may provide other signals indicating motion of the I-beam 764. Also, in some examples, the position sensor 784 may be omitted. Where the motor 754 is a stepper motor, the control circuit 760 may track the position of the I-beam 764 by aggregating the number and direction of steps that the motor 754 has been instructed to execute. The position sensor 784 may be located in the end effector 752 or at any other portion of the instrument.

The control circuit 760 may be in communication with one or more sensors 788. The sensors 788 may be positioned on the end effector 752 and adapted to operate with the surgical instrument 750 to measure the various derived parameters such as gap distance versus time, tissue compression versus time, and anvil strain versus time. The sensors 788 may comprise a magnetic sensor, a magnetic field sensor, a strain gauge, a pressure sensor, a force sensor, an inductive sensor such as an eddy current sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an optical sensor, and/or any other suitable sensor for measuring one or more parameters of the end effector 752. The sensors 788 may include one or more sensors.

The one or more sensors 788 may comprise a strain gauge, such as a micro-strain gauge, configured to measure the magnitude of the strain in the anvil 766 during a clamped condition. The strain gauge provides an electrical signal whose amplitude varies with the magnitude of the strain. The sensors 788 may comprise a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure generated by the presence of compressed tissue between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. The sensors 788 may be configured to detect impedance of a tissue section located between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768 that is indicative of the thickness and/or fullness of tissue located therebetween.

The sensors 788 may be is configured to measure forces exerted on the anvil 766 by a closure drive system. For example, one or more sensors 788 can be at an interaction point between a closure tube and the anvil 766 to detect the closure forces applied by a closure tube to the anvil 766. The forces exerted on the anvil 766 can be representative of the tissue compression experienced by the tissue section captured between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. The one or more sensors 788 can be positioned at various interaction points along the closure drive system to detect the closure forces applied to the anvil 766 by the closure drive system. The one or more sensors 788 may be sampled in real time during a clamping operation by a processor of the control circuit 760. The control circuit 760 receives real-time sample measurements to provide and analyze time-based information and assess, in real time, closure forces applied to the anvil 766.

A current sensor 786 can be employed to measure the current drawn by the motor 754. The force required to advance the I-beam 764 corresponds to the current drawn by the motor 754. The force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the control circuit 760.

The control circuit 760 can be configured to simulate the response of the actual system of the instrument in the software of the controller. A displacement member can be actuated to move an I-beam 764 in the end effector 752 at or near a target velocity. The surgical instrument 750 can include a feedback controller, which can be one of any feedback controllers, including, but not limited to a PID, a state feedback, LQR, and/or an adaptive controller, for example. The surgical instrument 750 can include a power source to convert the signal from the feedback controller into a physical input such as case voltage, PWM voltage, frequency modulated voltage, current, torque, and/or force, for example.

The actual drive system of the surgical instrument 750 is configured to drive the displacement member, cutting member, or I-beam 764, by a brushed DC motor with gearbox and mechanical links to an articulation and/or knife system. Another example is the electric motor 754 that operates the displacement member and the articulation driver, for example, of an interchangeable shaft assembly. An outside influence is an unmeasured, unpredictable influence of things like tissue, surrounding bodies and friction on the physical system. Such outside influence can be referred to as drag which acts in opposition to the electric motor 754. The outside influence, such as drag, may cause the operation of the physical system to deviate from a desired operation of the physical system.

Various example aspects are directed to a surgical instrument 750 comprising an end effector 752 with motor-driven surgical stapling and cutting implements. For example, a motor 754 may drive a displacement member distally and proximally along a longitudinal axis of the end effector 752. The end effector 752 may comprise a pivotable anvil 766 and, when configured for use, a staple cartridge 768 positioned opposite the anvil 766. A clinician may grasp tissue between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768, as described herein. When ready to use the instrument 750, the clinician may provide a firing signal, for example by depressing a trigger of the instrument 750. In response to the firing signal, the motor 754 may drive the displacement member distally along the longitudinal axis of the end effector 752 from a proximal stroke begin position to a stroke end position distal of the stroke begin position. As the displacement member translates distally, an I-beam 764 with a cutting element positioned at a distal end, may cut the tissue between the staple cartridge 768 and the anvil 766.

In various examples, the surgical instrument 750 may comprise a control circuit 760 programmed to control the distal translation of the displacement member, such as the I-beam 764, for example, based on one or more tissue conditions. The control circuit 760 may be programmed to sense tissue conditions, such as thickness, either directly or indirectly, as described herein. The control circuit 760 may be programmed to select a firing control program based on tissue conditions. A firing control program may describe the distal motion of the displacement member. Different firing control programs may be selected to better treat different tissue conditions. For example, when thicker tissue is present, the control circuit 760 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a lower velocity and/or with lower power. When thinner tissue is present, the control circuit 760 may be programmed to translate the displacement member at a higher velocity and/or with higher power.

In some examples, the control circuit 760 may initially operate the motor 754 in an open loop configuration for a first open loop portion of a stroke of the displacement member. Based on a response of the instrument 750 during the open loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 760 may select a firing control program. The response of the instrument may include, a translation distance of the displacement member during the open loop portion, a time elapsed during the open loop portion, energy provided to the motor 754 during the open loop portion, a sum of pulse widths of a motor drive signal, etc. After the open loop portion, the control circuit 760 may implement the selected firing control program for a second portion of the displacement member stroke. For example, during the closed loop portion of the stroke, the control circuit 760 may modulate the motor 754 based on translation data describing a position of the displacement member in a closed loop manner to translate the displacement member at a constant velocity. Additional details are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/720,852, titled SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A DISPLAY OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, filed Sep. 29, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a surgical instrument 790 configured to control various functions according to one aspect of this disclosure. In one aspect, the surgical instrument 790 is programmed to control distal translation of a displacement member such as the I-beam 764. The surgical instrument 790 comprises an end effector 792 that may comprise an anvil 766, an I-beam 764, and a removable staple cartridge 768 which may be interchanged with an RF cartridge 796 (shown in dashed line).

In one aspect, sensors 788 may be implemented as a limit switch, electromechanical device, solid-state switches, Hall-effect devices, MR devices, GMR devices, magnetometers, among others. In other implementations, the sensors 638 may be solid-state switches that operate under the influence of light, such as optical sensors, IR sensors, ultraviolet sensors, among others. Still, the switches may be solid-state devices such as transistors (e.g., FET, junction FET, MOSFET, bipolar, and the like). In other implementations, the sensors 788 may include electrical conductorless switches, ultrasonic switches, accelerometers, and inertial sensors, among others.

In one aspect, the position sensor 784 may be implemented as an absolute positioning system comprising a magnetic rotary absolute positioning system implemented as an AS5055EQFT single-chip magnetic rotary position sensor available from Austria Microsystems, AG. The position sensor 784 may interface with the control circuit 760 to provide an absolute positioning system. The position may include multiple Hall-effect elements located above a magnet and coupled to a CORDIC processor, also known as the digit-by-digit method and Volder's algorithm, that is provided to implement a simple and efficient algorithm to calculate hyperbolic and trigonometric functions that require only addition, subtraction, bitshift, and table lookup operations.

In one aspect, the I-beam 764 may be implemented as a knife member comprising a knife body that operably supports a tissue cutting blade thereon and may further include anvil engagement tabs or features and channel engagement features or a foot. In one aspect, the staple cartridge 768 may be implemented as a standard (mechanical) surgical fastener cartridge. In one aspect, the RF cartridge 796 may be implemented as an RF cartridge. These and other sensors arrangements are described in commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/628,175, titled TECHNIQUES FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF MOTOR VELOCITY OF A SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTING INSTRUMENT, filed Jun. 20, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The position, movement, displacement, and/or translation of a linear displacement member, such as the I-beam 764, can be measured by an absolute positioning system, sensor arrangement, and position sensor represented as position sensor 784. Because the I-beam 764 is coupled to the longitudinally movable drive member, the position of the I-beam 764 can be determined by measuring the position of the longitudinally movable drive member employing the position sensor 784. Accordingly, in the following description, the position, displacement, and/or translation of the I-beam 764 can be achieved by the position sensor 784 as described herein. A control circuit 760 may be programmed to control the translation of the displacement member, such as the I-beam 764, as described herein. The control circuit 760, in some examples, may comprise one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other suitable processors for executing instructions that cause the processor or processors to control the displacement member, e.g., the I-beam 764, in the manner described. In one aspect, a timer/counter 781 provides an output signal, such as the elapsed time or a digital count, to the control circuit 760 to correlate the position of the I-beam 764 as determined by the position sensor 784 with the output of the timer/counter 781 such that the control circuit 760 can determine the position of the I-beam 764 at a specific time (t) relative to a starting position. The timer/counter 781 may be configured to measure elapsed time, count external events, or time external events.

The control circuit 760 may generate a motor set point signal 772. The motor set point signal 772 may be provided to a motor controller 758. The motor controller 758 may comprise one or more circuits configured to provide a motor drive signal 774 to the motor 754 to drive the motor 754 as described herein. In some examples, the motor 754 may be a brushed DC electric motor. For example, the velocity of the motor 754 may be proportional to the motor drive signal 774. In some examples, the motor 754 may be a brushless DC electric motor and the motor drive signal 774 may comprise a PWM signal provided to one or more stator windings of the motor 754. Also, in some examples, the motor controller 758 may be omitted, and the control circuit 760 may generate the motor drive signal 774 directly.

The motor 754 may receive power from an energy source 762. The energy source 762 may be or include a battery, a super capacitor, or any other suitable energy source. The motor 754 may be mechanically coupled to the I-beam 764 via a transmission 756. The transmission 756 may include one or more gears or other linkage components to couple the motor 754 to the I-beam 764. A position sensor 784 may sense a position of the I-beam 764. The position sensor 784 may be or include any type of sensor that is capable of generating position data that indicate a position of the I-beam 764. In some examples, the position sensor 784 may include an encoder configured to provide a series of pulses to the control circuit 760 as the I-beam 764 translates distally and proximally. The control circuit 760 may track the pulses to determine the position of the I-beam 764. Other suitable position sensors may be used, including, for example, a proximity sensor. Other types of position sensors may provide other signals indicating motion of the I-beam 764. Also, in some examples, the position sensor 784 may be omitted. Where the motor 754 is a stepper motor, the control circuit 760 may track the position of the I-beam 764 by aggregating the number and direction of steps that the motor has been instructed to execute. The position sensor 784 may be located in the end effector 792 or at any other portion of the instrument.

The control circuit 760 may be in communication with one or more sensors 788. The sensors 788 may be positioned on the end effector 792 and adapted to operate with the surgical instrument 790 to measure the various derived parameters such as gap distance versus time, tissue compression versus time, and anvil strain versus time. The sensors 788 may comprise a magnetic sensor, a magnetic field sensor, a strain gauge, a pressure sensor, a force sensor, an inductive sensor such as an eddy current sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an optical sensor, and/or any other suitable sensor for measuring one or more parameters of the end effector 792. The sensors 788 may include one or more sensors.

The one or more sensors 788 may comprise a strain gauge, such as a micro-strain gauge, configured to measure the magnitude of the strain in the anvil 766 during a clamped condition. The strain gauge provides an electrical signal whose amplitude varies with the magnitude of the strain. The sensors 788 may comprise a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure generated by the presence of compressed tissue between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. The sensors 788 may be configured to detect impedance of a tissue section located between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768 that is indicative of the thickness and/or fullness of tissue located therebetween.

The sensors 788 may be is configured to measure forces exerted on the anvil 766 by the closure drive system. For example, one or more sensors 788 can be at an interaction point between a closure tube and the anvil 766 to detect the closure forces applied by a closure tube to the anvil 766. The forces exerted on the anvil 766 can be representative of the tissue compression experienced by the tissue section captured between the anvil 766 and the staple cartridge 768. The one or more sensors 788 can be positioned at various interaction points along the closure drive system to detect the closure forces applied to the anvil 766 by the closure drive system. The one or more sensors 788 may be sampled in real time during a clamping operation by a processor portion of the control circuit 760. The control circuit 760 receives real-time sample measurements to provide and analyze time-based information and assess, in real time, closure forces applied to the anvil 766.

A current sensor 786 can be employed to measure the current drawn by the motor 754. The force required to advance the I-beam 764 corresponds to the current drawn by the motor 754. The force is converted to a digital signal and provided to the control circuit 760.

An RF energy source 794 is coupled to the end effector 792 and is applied to the RF cartridge 796 when the RF cartridge 796 is loaded in the end effector 792 in place of the staple cartridge 768. The control circuit 760 controls the delivery of the RF energy to the RF cartridge 796.

Additional details are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/636,096, titled SURGICAL SYSTEM COUPLABLE WITH STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND RADIO FREQUENCY CARTRIDGE, AND METHOD OF USING SAME, filed Jun. 28, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Generator Hardware

FIG. 20 is a simplified block diagram of a generator 800 configured to provide inductorless tuning, among other benefits. Additional details of the generator 800 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,060,775, titled SURGICAL GENERATOR FOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES, which issued on Jun. 23, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The generator 800 may comprise a patient isolated stage 802 in communication with a non-isolated stage 804 via a power transformer 806. A secondary winding 808 of the power transformer 806 is contained in the isolated stage 802 and may comprise a tapped configuration (e.g., a center-tapped or a non-center-tapped configuration) to define drive signal outputs 810 a, 810 b, 810 c for delivering drive signals to different surgical instruments, such as, for example, an ultrasonic surgical instrument, an RF electrosurgical instrument, and a multifunction surgical instrument which includes ultrasonic and RF energy modes that can be delivered alone or simultaneously. In particular, drive signal outputs 810 a, 810 c may output an ultrasonic drive signal (e.g., a 420V root-mean-square (RMS) drive signal) to an ultrasonic surgical instrument, and drive signal outputs 810 b, 810 c may output an RF electrosurgical drive signal (e.g., a 100V RMS drive signal) to an RF electrosurgical instrument, with the drive signal output 810 b corresponding to the center tap of the power transformer 806.

In certain forms, the ultrasonic and electrosurgical drive signals may be provided simultaneously to distinct surgical instruments and/or to a single surgical instrument, such as the multifunction surgical instrument, having the capability to deliver both ultrasonic and electrosurgical energy to tissue. It will be appreciated that the electrosurgical signal, provided either to a dedicated electrosurgical instrument and/or to a combined multifunction ultrasonic/electrosurgical instrument may be either a therapeutic or sub-therapeutic level signal where the sub-therapeutic signal can be used, for example, to monitor tissue or instrument conditions and provide feedback to the generator. For example, the ultrasonic and RF signals can be delivered separately or simultaneously from a generator with a single output port in order to provide the desired output signal to the surgical instrument, as will be discussed in more detail below. Accordingly, the generator can combine the ultrasonic and electrosurgical RF energies and deliver the combined energies to the multifunction ultrasonic/electrosurgical instrument. Bipolar electrodes can be placed on one or both jaws of the end effector. One jaw may be driven by ultrasonic energy in addition to electrosurgical RF energy, working simultaneously. The ultrasonic energy may be employed to dissect tissue, while the electrosurgical RF energy may be employed for vessel sealing.

The non-isolated stage 804 may comprise a power amplifier 812 having an output connected to a primary winding 814 of the power transformer 806. In certain forms, the power amplifier 812 may comprise a push-pull amplifier. For example, the non-isolated stage 804 may further comprise a logic device 816 for supplying a digital output to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit 818, which in turn supplies a corresponding analog signal to an input of the power amplifier 812. In certain forms, the logic device 816 may comprise a programmable gate array (PGA), a FPGA, programmable logic device (PLD), among other logic circuits, for example. The logic device 816, by virtue of controlling the input of the power amplifier 812 via the DAC circuit 818, may therefore control any of a number of parameters (e.g., frequency, waveform shape, waveform amplitude) of drive signals appearing at the drive signal outputs 810 a, 810 b, 810 c. In certain forms and as discussed below, the logic device 816, in conjunction with a processor (e.g., a DSP discussed below), may implement a number of DSP-based and/or other control algorithms to control parameters of the drive signals output by the generator 800.

Power may be supplied to a power rail of the power amplifier 812 by a switch-mode regulator 820, e.g., a power converter. In certain forms, the switch-mode regulator 820 may comprise an adjustable buck regulator, for example. The non-isolated stage 804 may further comprise a first processor 822, which in one form may comprise a DSP processor such as an Analog Devices ADSP-21469 SHARC DSP, available from Analog Devices, Norwood, Mass., for example, although in various forms any suitable processor may be employed. In certain forms the DSP processor 822 may control the operation of the switch-mode regulator 820 responsive to voltage feedback data received from the power amplifier 812 by the DSP processor 822 via an ADC circuit 824. In one form, for example, the DSP processor 822 may receive as input, via the ADC circuit 824, the waveform envelope of a signal (e.g., an RF signal) being amplified by the power amplifier 812. The DSP processor 822 may then control the switch-mode regulator 820 (e.g., via a PWM output) such that the rail voltage supplied to the power amplifier 812 tracks the waveform envelope of the amplified signal. By dynamically modulating the rail voltage of the power amplifier 812 based on the waveform envelope, the efficiency of the power amplifier 812 may be significantly improved relative to a fixed rail voltage amplifier schemes.

In certain forms, the logic device 816, in conjunction with the DSP processor 822, may implement a digital synthesis circuit such as a direct digital synthesizer control scheme to control the waveform shape, frequency, and/or amplitude of drive signals output by the generator 800. In one form, for example, the logic device 816 may implement a DDS control algorithm by recalling waveform samples stored in a dynamically updated lookup table (LUT), such as a RAM LUT, which may be embedded in an FPGA. This control algorithm is particularly useful for ultrasonic applications in which an ultrasonic transducer, such as an ultrasonic transducer, may be driven by a clean sinusoidal current at its resonant frequency. Because other frequencies may excite parasitic resonances, minimizing or reducing the total distortion of the motional branch current may correspondingly minimize or reduce undesirable resonance effects. Because the waveform shape of a drive signal output by the generator 800 is impacted by various sources of distortion present in the output drive circuit (e.g., the power transformer 806, the power amplifier 812), voltage and current feedback data based on the drive signal may be input into an algorithm, such as an error control algorithm implemented by the DSP processor 822, which compensates for distortion by suitably pre-distorting or modifying the waveform samples stored in the LUT on a dynamic, ongoing basis (e.g., in real time). In one form, the amount or degree of pre-distortion applied to the LUT samples may be based on the error between a computed motional branch current and a desired current waveform shape, with the error being determined on a sample-by-sample basis. In this way, the pre-distorted LUT samples, when processed through the drive circuit, may result in a motional branch drive signal having the desired waveform shape (e.g., sinusoidal) for optimally driving the ultrasonic transducer. In such forms, the LUT waveform samples will therefore not represent the desired waveform shape of the drive signal, but rather the waveform shape that is required to ultimately produce the desired waveform shape of the motional branch drive signal when distortion effects are taken into account.

The non-isolated stage 804 may further comprise a first ADC circuit 826 and a second ADC circuit 828 coupled to the output of the power transformer 806 via respective isolation transformers 830, 832 for respectively sampling the voltage and current of drive signals output by the generator 800. In certain forms, the ADC circuits 826, 828 may be configured to sample at high speeds (e.g., 80 mega samples per second (MSPS)) to enable oversampling of the drive signals. In one form, for example, the sampling speed of the ADC circuits 826, 828 may enable approximately 200× (depending on frequency) oversampling of the drive signals. In certain forms, the sampling operations of the ADC circuit 826, 828 may be performed by a single ADC circuit receiving input voltage and current signals via a two-way multiplexer. The use of high-speed sampling in forms of the generator 800 may enable, among other things, calculation of the complex current flowing through the motional branch (which may be used in certain forms to implement DDS-based waveform shape control described above), accurate digital filtering of the sampled signals, and calculation of real power consumption with a high degree of precision. Voltage and current feedback data output by the ADC circuits 826, 828 may be received and processed (e.g., first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer, multiplexer) by the logic device 816 and stored in data memory for subsequent retrieval by, for example, the DSP processor 822. As noted above, voltage and current feedback data may be used as input to an algorithm for pre-distorting or modifying LUT waveform samples on a dynamic and ongoing basis. In certain forms, this may require each stored voltage and current feedback data pair to be indexed based on, or otherwise associated with, a corresponding LUT sample that was output by the logic device 816 when the voltage and current feedback data pair was acquired. Synchronization of the LUT samples and the voltage and current feedback data in this manner contributes to the correct timing and stability of the pre-distortion algorithm.

In certain forms, the voltage and current feedback data may be used to control the frequency and/or amplitude (e.g., current amplitude) of the drive signals. In one form, for example, voltage and current feedback data may be used to determine impedance phase. The frequency of the drive signal may then be controlled to minimize or reduce the difference between the determined impedance phase and an impedance phase setpoint (e.g., 0°), thereby minimizing or reducing the effects of harmonic distortion and correspondingly enhancing impedance phase measurement accuracy. The determination of phase impedance and a frequency control signal may be implemented in the DSP processor 822, for example, with the frequency control signal being supplied as input to a DDS control algorithm implemented by the logic device 816.

In another form, for example, the current feedback data may be monitored in order to maintain the current amplitude of the drive signal at a current amplitude setpoint. The current amplitude setpoint may be specified directly or determined indirectly based on specified voltage amplitude and power setpoints. In certain forms, control of the current amplitude may be implemented by control algorithm, such as, for example, a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithm, in the DSP processor 822. Variables controlled by the control algorithm to suitably control the current amplitude of the drive signal may include, for example, the scaling of the LUT waveform samples stored in the logic device 816 and/or the full-scale output voltage of the DAC circuit 818 (which supplies the input to the power amplifier 812) via a DAC circuit 834.

The non-isolated stage 804 may further comprise a second processor 836 for providing, among other things user interface (UI) functionality. In one form, the UI processor 836 may comprise an Atmel AT91SAM9263 processor having an ARM 926EJ-S core, available from Atmel Corporation, San Jose, Calif., for example. Examples of UI functionality supported by the UI processor 836 may include audible and visual user feedback, communication with peripheral devices (e.g., via a USB interface), communication with a foot switch, communication with an input device (e.g., a touch screen display) and communication with an output device (e.g., a speaker). The UI processor 836 may communicate with the DSP processor 822 and the logic device 816 (e.g., via SPI buses). Although the UI processor 836 may primarily support UI functionality, it may also coordinate with the DSP processor 822 to implement hazard mitigation in certain forms. For example, the UI processor 836 may be programmed to monitor various aspects of user input and/or other inputs (e.g., touch screen inputs, foot switch inputs, temperature sensor inputs) and may disable the drive output of the generator 800 when an erroneous condition is detected.

In certain forms, both the DSP processor 822 and the UI processor 836, for example, may determine and monitor the operating state of the generator 800. For the DSP processor 822, the operating state of the generator 800 may dictate, for example, which control and/or diagnostic processes are implemented by the DSP processor 822. For the UI processor 836, the operating state of the generator 800 may dictate, for example, which elements of a UI (e.g., display screens, sounds) are presented to a user. The respective DSP and UI processors 822, 836 may independently maintain the current operating state of the generator 800 and recognize and evaluate possible transitions out of the current operating state. The DSP processor 822 may function as the master in this relationship and determine when transitions between operating states are to occur. The UI processor 836 may be aware of valid transitions between operating states and may confirm if a particular transition is appropriate. For example, when the DSP processor 822 instructs the UI processor 836 to transition to a specific state, the UI processor 836 may verify that requested transition is valid. In the event that a requested transition between states is determined to be invalid by the UI processor 836, the UI processor 836 may cause the generator 800 to enter a failure mode.

The non-isolated stage 804 may further comprise a controller 838 for monitoring input devices (e.g., a capacitive touch sensor used for turning the generator 800 on and off, a capacitive touch screen). In certain forms, the controller 838 may comprise at least one processor and/or other controller device in communication with the UI processor 836. In one form, for example, the controller 838 may comprise a processor (e.g., a Meg168 8-bit controller available from Atmel) configured to monitor user input provided via one or more capacitive touch sensors. In one form, the controller 838 may comprise a touch screen controller (e.g., a QT5480 touch screen controller available from Atmel) to control and manage the acquisition of touch data from a capacitive touch screen.

In certain forms, when the generator 800 is in a “power off” state, the controller 838 may continue to receive operating power (e.g., via a line from a power supply of the generator 800, such as the power supply 854 discussed below). In this way, the controller 838 may continue to monitor an input device (e.g., a capacitive touch sensor located on a front panel of the generator 800) for turning the generator 800 on and off. When the generator 800 is in the power off state, the controller 838 may wake the power supply (e.g., enable operation of one or more DC/DC voltage converters 856 of the power supply 854) if activation of the “on/off” input device by a user is detected. The controller 838 may therefore initiate a sequence for transitioning the generator 800 to a “power on” state. Conversely, the controller 838 may initiate a sequence for transitioning the generator 800 to the power off state if activation of the “on/off” input device is detected when the generator 800 is in the power on state. In certain forms, for example, the controller 838 may report activation of the “on/off” input device to the UI processor 836, which in turn implements the necessary process sequence for transitioning the generator 800 to the power off state. In such forms, the controller 838 may have no independent ability for causing the removal of power from the generator 800 after its power on state has been established.

In certain forms, the controller 838 may cause the generator 800 to provide audible or other sensory feedback for alerting the user that a power on or power off sequence has been initiated. Such an alert may be provided at the beginning of a power on or power off sequence and prior to the commencement of other processes associated with the sequence.

In certain forms, the isolated stage 802 may comprise an instrument interface circuit 840 to, for example, provide a communication interface between a control circuit of a surgical instrument (e.g., a control circuit comprising handpiece switches) and components of the non-isolated stage 804, such as, for example, the logic device 816, the DSP processor 822, and/or the UI processor 836. The instrument interface circuit 840 may exchange information with components of the non-isolated stage 804 via a communication link that maintains a suitable degree of electrical isolation between the isolated and non-isolated stages 802, 804, such as, for example, an IR-based communication link. Power may be supplied to the instrument interface circuit 840 using, for example, a low-dropout voltage regulator powered by an isolation transformer driven from the non-isolated stage 804.

In one form, the instrument interface circuit 840 may comprise a logic circuit 842 (e.g., logic circuit, programmable logic circuit, PGA, FPGA, PLD) in communication with a signal conditioning circuit 844. The signal conditioning circuit 844 may be configured to receive a periodic signal from the logic circuit 842 (e.g., a 2 kHz square wave) to generate a bipolar interrogation signal having an identical frequency. The interrogation signal may be generated, for example, using a bipolar current source fed by a differential amplifier. The interrogation signal may be communicated to a surgical instrument control circuit (e.g., by using a conductive pair in a cable that connects the generator 800 to the surgical instrument) and monitored to determine a state or configuration of the control circuit. The control circuit may comprise a number of switches, resistors, and/or diodes to modify one or more characteristics (e.g., amplitude, rectification) of the interrogation signal such that a state or configuration of the control circuit is uniquely discernable based on the one or more characteristics. In one form, for example, the signal conditioning circuit 844 may comprise an ADC circuit for generating samples of a voltage signal appearing across inputs of the control circuit resulting from passage of interrogation signal therethrough. The logic circuit 842 (or a component of the non-isolated stage 804) may then determine the state or configuration of the control circuit based on the ADC circuit samples.

In one form, the instrument interface circuit 840 may comprise a first data circuit interface 846 to enable information exchange between the logic circuit 842 (or other element of the instrument interface circuit 840) and a first data circuit disposed in or otherwise associated with a surgical instrument. In certain forms, for example, a first data circuit may be disposed in a cable integrally attached to a surgical instrument handpiece or in an adaptor for interfacing a specific surgical instrument type or model with the generator 800. The first data circuit may be implemented in any suitable manner and may communicate with the generator according to any suitable protocol, including, for example, as described herein with respect to the first data circuit. In certain forms, the first data circuit may comprise a non-volatile storage device, such as an EEPROM device. In certain forms, the first data circuit interface 846 may be implemented separately from the logic circuit 842 and comprise suitable circuitry (e.g., discrete logic devices, a processor) to enable communication between the logic circuit 842 and the first data circuit. In other forms, the first data circuit interface 846 may be integral with the logic circuit 842.

In certain forms, the first data circuit may store information pertaining to the particular surgical instrument with which it is associated. Such information may include, for example, a model number, a serial number, a number of operations in which the surgical instrument has been used, and/or any other type of information. This information may be read by the instrument interface circuit 840 (e.g., by the logic circuit 842), transferred to a component of the non-isolated stage 804 (e.g., to logic device 816, DSP processor 822, and/or UI processor 836) for presentation to a user via an output device and/or for controlling a function or operation of the generator 800. Additionally, any type of information may be communicated to the first data circuit for storage therein via the first data circuit interface 846 (e.g., using the logic circuit 842). Such information may comprise, for example, an updated number of operations in which the surgical instrument has been used and/or dates and/or times of its usage.

As discussed previously, a surgical instrument may be detachable from a handpiece (e.g., the multifunction surgical instrument may be detachable from the handpiece) to promote instrument interchangeability and/or disposability. In such cases, conventional generators may be limited in their ability to recognize particular instrument configurations being used and to optimize control and diagnostic processes accordingly. The addition of readable data circuits to surgical instruments to address this issue is problematic from a compatibility standpoint, however. For example, designing a surgical instrument to remain backwardly compatible with generators that lack the requisite data reading functionality may be impractical due to, for example, differing signal schemes, design complexity, and cost. Forms of instruments discussed herein address these concerns by using data circuits that may be implemented in existing surgical instruments economically and with minimal design changes to preserve compatibility of the surgical instruments with current generator platforms.

Additionally, forms of the generator 800 may enable communication with instrument-based data circuits. For example, the generator 800 may be configured to communicate with a second data circuit contained in an instrument (e.g., the multifunction surgical instrument). In some forms, the second data circuit may be implemented in a many similar to that of the first data circuit described herein. The instrument interface circuit 840 may comprise a second data circuit interface 848 to enable this communication. In one form, the second data circuit interface 848 may comprise a tri-state digital interface, although other interfaces may also be used. In certain forms, the second data circuit may generally be any circuit for transmitting and/or receiving data. In one form, for example, the second data circuit may store information pertaining to the particular surgical instrument with which it is associated. Such information may include, for example, a model number, a serial number, a number of operations in which the surgical instrument has been used, and/or any other type of information.

In some forms, the second data circuit may store information about the electrical and/or ultrasonic properties of an associated ultrasonic transducer, end effector, or ultrasonic drive system. For example, the first data circuit may indicate a burn-in frequency slope, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, any type of information may be communicated to second data circuit for storage therein via the second data circuit interface 848 (e.g., using the logic circuit 842). Such information may comprise, for example, an updated number of operations in which the instrument has been used and/or dates and/or times of its usage. In certain forms, the second data circuit may transmit data acquired by one or more sensors (e.g., an instrument-based temperature sensor). In certain forms, the second data circuit may receive data from the generator 800 and provide an indication to a user (e.g., a light emitting diode indication or other visible indication) based on the received data.

In certain forms, the second data circuit and the second data circuit interface 848 may be configured such that communication between the logic circuit 842 and the second data circuit can be effected without the need to provide additional conductors for this purpose (e.g., dedicated conductors of a cable connecting a handpiece to the generator 800). In one form, for example, information may be communicated to and from the second data circuit using a one-wire bus communication scheme implemented on existing cabling, such as one of the conductors used transmit interrogation signals from the signal conditioning circuit 844 to a control circuit in a handpiece. In this way, design changes or modifications to the surgical instrument that might otherwise be necessary are minimized or reduced. Moreover, because different types of communications implemented over a common physical channel can be frequency-band separated, the presence of a second data circuit may be “invisible” to generators that do not have the requisite data reading functionality, thus enabling backward compatibility of the surgical instrument.

In certain forms, the isolated stage 802 may comprise at least one blocking capacitor 850-1 connected to the drive signal output 810 b to prevent passage of DC current to a patient. A single blocking capacitor may be required to comply with medical regulations or standards, for example. While failure in single-capacitor designs is relatively uncommon, such failure may nonetheless have negative consequences. In one form, a second blocking capacitor 850-2 may be provided in series with the blocking capacitor 850-1, with current leakage from a point between the blocking capacitors 850-1, 850-2 being monitored by, for example, an ADC circuit 852 for sampling a voltage induced by leakage current. The samples may be received by the logic circuit 842, for example. Based changes in the leakage current (as indicated by the voltage samples), the generator 800 may determine when at least one of the blocking capacitors 850-1, 850-2 has failed, thus providing a benefit over single-capacitor designs having a single point of failure.

In certain forms, the non-isolated stage 804 may comprise a power supply 854 for delivering DC power at a suitable voltage and current. The power supply may comprise, for example, a 400 W power supply for delivering a 48 VDC system voltage. The power supply 854 may further comprise one or more DC/DC voltage converters 856 for receiving the output of the power supply to generate DC outputs at the voltages and currents required by the various components of the generator 800. As discussed above in connection with the controller 838, one or more of the DC/DC voltage converters 856 may receive an input from the controller 838 when activation of the “on/off” input device by a user is detected by the controller 838 to enable operation of, or wake, the DC/DC voltage converters 856.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a generator 900, which is one form of the generator 800 (FIG. 20). The generator 900 is configured to deliver multiple energy modalities to a surgical instrument. The generator 900 provides RF and ultrasonic signals for delivering energy to a surgical instrument either independently or simultaneously. The RF and ultrasonic signals may be provided alone or in combination and may be provided simultaneously. As noted above, at least one generator output can deliver multiple energy modalities (e.g., ultrasonic, bipolar or monopolar RF, irreversible and/or reversible electroporation, and/or microwave energy, among others) through a single port, and these signals can be delivered separately or simultaneously to the end effector to treat tissue.

The generator 900 comprises a processor 902 coupled to a waveform generator 904. The processor 902 and waveform generator 904 are configured to generate a variety of signal waveforms based on information stored in a memory coupled to the processor 902, not shown for clarity of disclosure. The digital information associated with a waveform is provided to the waveform generator 904 which includes one or more DAC circuits to convert the digital input into an analog output. The analog output is fed to an amplifier 1106 for signal conditioning and amplification. The conditioned and amplified output of the amplifier 906 is coupled to a power transformer 908. The signals are coupled across the power transformer 908 to the secondary side, which is in the patient isolation side. A first signal of a first energy modality is provided to the surgical instrument between the terminals labeled ENERGY1 and RETURN. A second signal of a second energy modality is coupled across a capacitor 910 and is provided to the surgical instrument between the terminals labeled ENERGY2 and RETURN. It will be appreciated that more than two energy modalities may be output and thus the subscript “n” may be used to designate that up to n ENERGYn terminals may be provided, where n is a positive integer greater than 1. It also will be appreciated that up to “n” return paths RETURNn may be provided without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

A first voltage sensing circuit 912 is coupled across the terminals labeled ENERGY1 and the RETURN path to measure the output voltage therebetween. A second voltage sensing circuit 924 is coupled across the terminals labeled ENERGY2 and the RETURN path to measure the output voltage therebetween. A current sensing circuit 914 is disposed in series with the RETURN leg of the secondary side of the power transformer 908 as shown to measure the output current for either energy modality. If different return paths are provided for each energy modality, then a separate current sensing circuit should be provided in each return leg. The outputs of the first and second voltage sensing circuits 912, 924 are provided to respective isolation transformers 916, 922 and the output of the current sensing circuit 914 is provided to another isolation transformer 918. The outputs of the isolation transformers 916, 928, 922 in the on the primary side of the power transformer 908 (non-patient isolated side) are provided to a one or more ADC circuit 926. The digitized output of the ADC circuit 926 is provided to the processor 902 for further processing and computation. The output voltages and output current feedback information can be employed to adjust the output voltage and current provided to the surgical instrument and to compute output impedance, among other parameters. Input/output communications between the processor 902 and patient isolated circuits is provided through an interface circuit 920. Sensors also may be in electrical communication with the processor 902 by way of the interface circuit 920.

In one aspect, the impedance may be determined by the processor 902 by dividing the output of either the first voltage sensing circuit 912 coupled across the terminals labeled ENERGY1/RETURN or the second voltage sensing circuit 924 coupled across the terminals labeled ENERGY2/RETURN by the output of the current sensing circuit 914 disposed in series with the RETURN leg of the secondary side of the power transformer 908. The outputs of the first and second voltage sensing circuits 912, 924 are provided to separate isolations transformers 916, 922 and the output of the current sensing circuit 914 is provided to another isolation transformer 916. The digitized voltage and current sensing measurements from the ADC circuit 926 are provided the processor 902 for computing impedance. As an example, the first energy modality ENERGY1 may be ultrasonic energy and the second energy modality ENERGY2 may be RF energy. Nevertheless, in addition to ultrasonic and bipolar or monopolar RF energy modalities, other energy modalities include irreversible and/or reversible electroporation and/or microwave energy, among others. Also, although the example illustrated in FIG. 21 shows a single return path RETURN may be provided for two or more energy modalities, in other aspects, multiple return paths RETURNn may be provided for each energy modality ENERGYn. Thus, as described herein, the ultrasonic transducer impedance may be measured by dividing the output of the first voltage sensing circuit 912 by the current sensing circuit 914 and the tissue impedance may be measured by dividing the output of the second voltage sensing circuit 924 by the current sensing circuit 914.

As shown in FIG. 21, the generator 900 comprising at least one output port can include a power transformer 908 with a single output and with multiple taps to provide power in the form of one or more energy modalities, such as ultrasonic, bipolar or monopolar RF, irreversible and/or reversible electroporation, and/or microwave energy, among others, for example, to the end effector depending on the type of treatment of tissue being performed. For example, the generator 900 can deliver energy with higher voltage and lower current to drive an ultrasonic transducer, with lower voltage and higher current to drive RF electrodes for sealing tissue, or with a coagulation waveform for spot coagulation using either monopolar or bipolar RF electrosurgical electrodes. The output waveform from the generator 900 can be steered, switched, or filtered to provide the frequency to the end effector of the surgical instrument. The connection of an ultrasonic transducer to the generator 900 output would be preferably located between the output labeled ENERGY1 and RETURN as shown in FIG. 21. In one example, a connection of RF bipolar electrodes to the generator 900 output would be preferably located between the output labeled ENERGY2 and RETURN. In the case of monopolar output, the preferred connections would be active electrode (e.g., pencil or other probe) to the ENERGY2 output and a suitable return pad connected to the RETURN output.

Additional details are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0086914, titled TECHNIQUES FOR OPERATING GENERATOR FOR DIGITALLY GENERATING ELECTRICAL SIGNAL WAVEFORMS AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, which published on Mar. 30, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As used throughout this description, the term “wireless” and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not contain any wires, although in some aspects they might not. The communication module may implement any of a number of wireless or wired communication standards or protocols, including but not limited to W-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, long term evolution (LTE), Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, Bluetooth, Ethernet derivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless and wired protocols that are designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. The computing module may include a plurality of communication modules. For instance, a first communication module may be dedicated to shorter range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and a second communication module may be dedicated to longer range wireless communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Ev-DO, and others.

As used herein a processor or processing unit is an electronic circuit which performs operations on some external data source, usually memory or some other data stream. The term is used herein to refer to the central processor (central processing unit) in a system or computer systems (especially systems on a chip (SoCs)) that combine a number of specialized “processors.”

As used herein, a system on a chip or system on chip (SoC or SOC) is an integrated circuit (also known as an “IC” or “chip”) that integrates all components of a computer or other electronic systems. It may contain digital, analog, mixed-signal, and often radio-frequency functions—all on a single substrate. A SoC integrates a microcontroller (or microprocessor) with advanced peripherals like graphics processing unit (GPU), Wi-Fi module, or coprocessor. A SoC may or may not contain built-in memory.

As used herein, a microcontroller or controller is a system that integrates a microprocessor with peripheral circuits and memory. A microcontroller (or MCU for microcontroller unit) may be implemented as a small computer on a single integrated circuit. It may be similar to a SoC; an SoC may include a microcontroller as one of its components. A microcontroller may contain one or more core processing units (CPUs) along with memory and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of Ferroelectric RAM, NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a small amount of RAM. Microcontrollers may be employed for embedded applications, in contrast to the microprocessors used in personal computers or other general purpose applications consisting of various discrete chips.

As used herein, the term controller or microcontroller may be a stand-alone IC or chip device that interfaces with a peripheral device. This may be a link between two parts of a computer or a controller on an external device that manages the operation of (and connection with) that device.

Any of the processors or microcontrollers described herein, may be implemented by any single core or multicore processor such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex by Texas Instruments. In one aspect, the processor may be an LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F Processor Core, available from Texas Instruments, for example, comprising on-chip memory of 256 KB single-cycle flash memory, or other non-volatile memory, up to 40 MHz, a prefetch buffer to improve performance above 40 MHz, a 32 KB single-cycle serial random access memory (SRAM), internal read-only memory (ROM) loaded with StellarisWare® software, 2 KB electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), one or more pulse width modulation (PWM) modules, one or more quadrature encoder inputs (QEI) analog, one or more 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADC) with 12 analog input channels, details of which are available for the product datasheet.

In one aspect, the processor may comprise a safety controller comprising two controller-based families such as TMS570 and RM4x known under the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4, also by Texas Instruments. The safety controller may be configured specifically for IEC 61508 and ISO 26262 safety critical applications, among others, to provide advanced integrated safety features while delivering scalable performance, connectivity, and memory options.

Modular devices include the modules (as described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 9, for example) that are receivable within a surgical hub and the surgical devices or instruments that can be connected to the various modules in order to connect or pair with the corresponding surgical hub. The modular devices include, for example, intelligent surgical instruments, medical imaging devices, suction/irrigation devices, smoke evacuators, energy generators, ventilators, insufflators, and displays. The modular devices described herein can be controlled by control algorithms. The control algorithms can be executed on the modular device itself, on the surgical hub to which the particular modular device is paired, or on both the modular device and the surgical hub (e.g., via a distributed computing architecture). In some exemplifications, the modular devices' control algorithms control the devices based on data sensed by the modular device itself (i.e., by sensors in, on, or connected to the modular device). This data can be related to the patient being operated on (e.g., tissue properties or insufflation pressure) or the modular device itself (e.g., the rate at which a knife is being advanced, motor current, or energy levels). For example, a control algorithm for a surgical stapling and cutting instrument can control the rate at which the instrument's motor drives its knife through tissue according to resistance encountered by the knife as it advances.

Situational Awareness

Situational awareness is the ability of some aspects of a surgical system to determine or infer information related to a surgical procedure from data received from databases and/or instruments. The information can include the type of procedure being undertaken, the type of tissue being operated on, or the body cavity that is the subject of the procedure. Wth the contextual information related to the surgical procedure, the surgical system can, for example, improve the manner in which it controls the modular devices (e.g. a robotic arm and/or robotic surgical tool) that are connected to it and provide contextualized information or suggestions to the surgeon during the course of the surgical procedure.

Referring now to FIG. 56, a timeline 5200 depicting situational awareness of a hub, such as the surgical hub 106 or 206, for example, is depicted. The timeline 5200 is an illustrative surgical procedure and the contextual information that the surgical hub 106, 206 can derive from the data received from the data sources at each step in the surgical procedure. The timeline 5200 depicts the typical steps that would be taken by the nurses, surgeons, and other medical personnel during the course of a lung segmentectomy procedure, beginning with setting up the operating theater and ending with transferring the patient to a post-operative recovery room.

The situationally aware surgical hub 106, 206 receives data from the data sources throughout the course of the surgical procedure, including data generated each time medical personnel utilize a modular device that is paired with the surgical hub 106, 206. The surgical hub 106, 206 can receive this data from the paired modular devices and other data sources and continually derive inferences (i.e., contextual information) about the ongoing procedure as new data is received, such as which step of the procedure is being performed at any given time. The situational awareness system of the surgical hub 106, 206 is able to, for example, record data pertaining to the procedure for generating reports, verify the steps being taken by the medical personnel, provide data or prompts (e.g., via a display screen) that may be pertinent for the particular procedural step, adjust modular devices based on the context (e.g., activate monitors, adjust the field of view (FOV) of the medical imaging device, or change the energy level of an ultrasonic surgical instrument or RF electrosurgical instrument), and take any other such action described above.

As the first step 5202 in this illustrative procedure, the hospital staff members retrieve the patient's Electronic Medical Record (EMR) from the hospital's EMR database. Based on select patient data in the EMR, the surgical hub 106, 206 determines that the procedure to be performed is a thoracic procedure.

Second step 5204, the staff members scan the incoming medical supplies for the procedure. The surgical hub 106, 206 cross-references the scanned supplies with a list of supplies that are utilized in various types of procedures and confirms that the mix of supplies corresponds to a thoracic procedure. Further, the surgical hub 106, 206 is also able to determine that the procedure is not a wedge procedure (because the incoming supplies either lack certain supplies that are necessary for a thoracic wedge procedure or do not otherwise correspond to a thoracic wedge procedure).

Third step 5206, the medical personnel scan the patient band via a scanner that is communicably connected to the surgical hub 106, 206. The surgical hub 106, 206 can then confirm the patient's identity based on the scanned data.

Fourth step 5208, the medical staff turns on the auxiliary equipment. The auxiliary equipment being utilized can vary according to the type of surgical procedure and the techniques to be used by the surgeon, but in this illustrative case they include a smoke evacuator, insufflator, and medical imaging device. When activated, the auxiliary equipment that are modular devices can automatically pair with the surgical hub 106, 206 that is located within a particular vicinity of the modular devices as part of their initialization process. The surgical hub 106, 206 can then derive contextual information about the surgical procedure by detecting the types of modular devices that pair with it during this pre-operative or initialization phase. In this particular example, the surgical hub 106, 206 determines that the surgical procedure is a VATS procedure based on this particular combination of paired modular devices. Based on the combination of the data from the patient's EMR, the list of medical supplies to be used in the procedure, and the type of modular devices that connect to the hub, the surgical hub 106, 206 can generally infer the specific procedure that the surgical team will be performing. Once the surgical hub 106, 206 knows what specific procedure is being performed, the surgical hub 106, 206 can then retrieve the steps of that procedure from a memory or from the cloud and then cross-reference the data it subsequently receives from the connected data sources (e.g., modular devices and patient monitoring devices) to infer what step of the surgical procedure the surgical team is performing.

Fifth step 5210, the staff members attach the EKG electrodes and other patient monitoring devices to the patient. The EKG electrodes and other patient monitoring devices are able to pair with the surgical hub 106, 206. As the surgical hub 106, 206 begins receiving data from the patient monitoring devices, the surgical hub 106, 206 thus confirms that the patient is in the operating theater.

Sixth step 5212, the medical personnel induce anesthesia in the patient. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the patient is under anesthesia based on data from the modular devices and/or patient monitoring devices, including EKG data, blood pressure data, ventilator data, or combinations thereof, for example. Upon completion of the sixth step 5212, the pre-operative portion of the lung segmentectomy procedure is completed and the operative portion begins.

Seventh step 5214, the patient's lung that is being operated on is collapsed (while ventilation is switched to the contralateral lung). The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer from the ventilator data that the patient's lung has been collapsed, for example. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the operative portion of the procedure has commenced as it can compare the detection of the patient's lung collapsing to the expected steps of the procedure (which can be accessed or retrieved previously) and thereby determine that collapsing the lung is the first operative step in this particular procedure.

Eighth step 5216, the medical imaging device (e.g., a scope) is inserted and video from the medical imaging device is initiated. The surgical hub 106, 206 receives the medical imaging device data (i.e., video or image data) through its connection to the medical imaging device. Upon receipt of the medical imaging device data, the surgical hub 106, 206 can determine that the laparoscopic portion of the surgical procedure has commenced. Further, the surgical hub 106, 206 can determine that the particular procedure being performed is a segmentectomy, as opposed to a lobectomy (note that a wedge procedure has already been discounted by the surgical hub 106, 206 based on data received at the second step 5204 of the procedure). The data from the medical imaging device 124 (FIG. 2) can be utilized to determine contextual information regarding the type of procedure being performed in a number of different ways, including by determining the angle at which the medical imaging device is oriented with respect to the visualization of the patient's anatomy, monitoring the number or medical imaging devices being utilized (i.e., that are activated and paired with the surgical hub 106, 206), and monitoring the types of visualization devices utilized. For example, one technique for performing a VATS lobectomy places the camera in the lower anterior corner of the patient's chest cavity above the diaphragm, whereas one technique for performing a VATS segmentectomy places the camera in an anterior intercostal position relative to the segmental fissure. Using pattern recognition or machine learning techniques, for example, the situational awareness system can be trained to recognize the positioning of the medical imaging device according to the visualization of the patient's anatomy. As another example, one technique for performing a VATS lobectomy utilizes a single medical imaging device, whereas another technique for performing a VATS segmentectomy utilizes multiple cameras. As yet another example, one technique for performing a VATS segmentectomy utilizes an infrared light source (which can be communicably coupled to the surgical hub as part of the visualization system) to visualize the segmental fissure, which is not utilized in a VATS lobectomy. By tracking any or all of this data from the medical imaging device, the surgical hub 106, 206 can thereby determine the specific type of surgical procedure being performed and/or the technique being used for a particular type of surgical procedure.

Ninth step 5218, the surgical team begins the dissection step of the procedure. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the surgeon is in the process of dissecting to mobilize the patient's lung because it receives data from the RF or ultrasonic generator indicating that an energy instrument is being fired. The surgical hub 106, 206 can cross-reference the received data with the retrieved steps of the surgical procedure to determine that an energy instrument being fired at this point in the process (i.e., after the completion of the previously discussed steps of the procedure) corresponds to the dissection step. In certain instances, the energy instrument can be an energy tool mounted to a robotic arm of a robotic surgical system.

Tenth step 5220, the surgical team proceeds to the ligation step of the procedure. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the surgeon is ligating arteries and veins because it receives data from the surgical stapling and cutting instrument indicating that the instrument is being fired. Similarly to the prior step, the surgical hub 106, 206 can derive this inference by cross-referencing the receipt of data from the surgical stapling and cutting instrument with the retrieved steps in the process. In certain instances, the surgical instrument can be a surgical tool mounted to a robotic arm of a robotic surgical system.

Eleventh step 5222, the segmentectomy portion of the procedure is performed. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the surgeon is transecting the parenchyma based on data from the surgical stapling and cutting instrument, including data from its cartridge. The cartridge data can correspond to the size or type of staple being fired by the instrument, for example. As different types of staples are utilized for different types of tissues, the cartridge data can thus indicate the type of tissue being stapled and/or transected. In this case, the type of staple being fired is utilized for parenchyma (or other similar tissue types), which allows the surgical hub 106, 206 to infer that the segmentectomy portion of the procedure is being performed.

Twelfth step 5224, the node dissection step is then performed. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the surgical team is dissecting the node and performing a leak test based on data received from the generator indicating that an RF or ultrasonic instrument is being fired. For this particular procedure, an RF or ultrasonic instrument being utilized after parenchyma was transected corresponds to the node dissection step, which allows the surgical hub 106, 206 to make this inference. It should be noted that surgeons regularly switch back and forth between surgical stapling/cutting instruments and surgical energy (i.e., RF or ultrasonic) instruments depending upon the particular step in the procedure because different instruments are better adapted for particular tasks. Therefore, the particular sequence in which the stapling/cutting instruments and surgical energy instruments are used can indicate what step of the procedure the surgeon is performing. Moreover, in certain instances, robotic tools can be utilized for one or more steps in a surgical procedure and/or handheld surgical instruments can be utilized for one or more steps in the surgical procedure. The surgeon(s) can alternate between robotic tools and handheld surgical instruments and/or can use the devices concurrently, for example. Upon completion of the twelfth step 5224, the incisions are closed up and the post-operative portion of the procedure begins.

Thirteenth step 5226, the patient's anesthesia is reversed. The surgical hub 106, 206 can infer that the patient is emerging from the anesthesia based on the ventilator data (i.e., the patient's breathing rate begins increasing), for example.

Lastly, the fourteenth step 5228 is that the medical personnel remove the various patient monitoring devices from the patient. The surgical hub 106, 206 can thus infer that the patient is being transferred to a recovery room when the hub loses EKG, BP, and other data from the patient monitoring devices. As can be seen from the description of this illustrative procedure, the surgical hub 106, 206 can determine or infer when each step of a given surgical procedure is taking place according to data received from the various data sources that are communicably coupled to the surgical hub 106, 206.

Situational awareness is further described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In certain instances, operation of a robotic surgical system, including the various robotic surgical systems disclosed herein, for example, can be controlled by the hub 106, 206 based on its situational awareness and/or feedback from the components thereof and/or based on information from the cloud 104.

Robotic Systems

Robotic surgical systems can be used in minimally invasive medical procedures. During such medical procedures, a patient can be placed on a platform adjacent to a robotic surgical system, and a surgeon can be positioned at a console that is remote from the platform and/or from the robot. For example, the surgeon can be positioned outside the sterile field that surrounds the surgical site. The surgeon provides input to a user interface via an input device at the console to manipulate a surgical tool coupled to an arm of the robotic system. The input device can be a mechanical input devices such as control handles or joysticks, for example, or contactless input devices such as optical gesture sensors, for example.

The robotic surgical system can include a robot tower supporting one or more robotic arms. At least one surgical tool (e.g. an end effector and/or endoscope) can be mounted to the robotic arm. The surgical tool(s) can be configured to articulate relative to the respective robotic arm via an articulating wrist assembly and/or to translate relative to the robotic arm via a linear slide mechanism, for example. During the surgical procedure, the surgical tool can be inserted into a small incision in a patient via a cannula or trocar, for example, or into a natural orifice of the patient to position the distal end of the surgical tool at the surgical site within the body of the patient. Additionally or alternatively, the robotic surgical system can be employed in an open surgical procedure in certain instances.

A schematic of a robotic surgical system 15000 is depicted in FIG. 22. The robotic surgical system 15000 includes a central control unit 15002, a surgeon's console 15012, a robot 15022 including one or more robotic arms 15024, and a primary display 15040 operably coupled to the control unit 15002. The surgeon's console 15012 includes a display 15014 and at least one manual input device 15016 (e.g., switches, buttons, touch screens, joysticks, gimbals, etc.) that allow the surgeon to telemanipulate the robotic arms 15024 of the robot 15022. The reader will appreciate that additional and alternative input devices can be employed.

The central control unit 15002 includes a processor 15004 operably coupled to a memory 15006. The processor 15004 includes a plurality of inputs and outputs for interfacing with the components of the robotic surgical system 15000. The processor 15004 can be configured to receive input signals and/or generate output signals to control one or more of the various components (e.g., one or more motors, sensors, and/or displays) of the robotic surgical system 15000. The output signals can include, and/or can be based upon, algorithmic instructions which may be pre-programmed and/or input by the surgeon or another clinician. The processor 15004 can be configured to accept a plurality of inputs from a user, such as the surgeon at the console 15012, and/or may interface with a remote system. The memory 15006 can be directly and/or indirectly coupled to the processor 15004 to store instructions and/or databases.

The robot 15022 includes one or more robotic arms 15024. Each robotic arm 15024 includes one or more motors 15026 and each motor 15026 is coupled to one or more motor drivers 15028. For example, the motors 15026, which can be assigned to different drivers and/or mechanisms, can be housed in a carriage assembly or housing. In certain instances, a transmission intermediate a motor 15026 and one or more drivers 15028 can permit coupling and decoupling of the motor 15026 to one or more drivers 15028. The drivers 15028 can be configured to implement one or more surgical functions. For example, one or more drivers 15028 can be tasked with moving a robotic arm 15024 by rotating the robotic arm 15024 and/or a linkage and/or joint thereof. Additionally, one or more drivers 15028 can be coupled to a surgical tool 15030 and can implement articulating, rotating, clamping, sealing, stapling, energizing, firing, cutting, and/or opening, for example. In certain instances, the surgical tools 15030 can be interchangeable and/or replaceable. Examples of robotic surgical systems and surgical tools are further described herein.

The reader will readily appreciate that the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100 (FIG. 1) and the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 (FIG. 9) can incorporate the robotic surgical system 15000. Additionally or alternatively, the robotic surgical system 15000 can include various features and/or components of the computer-implemented interactive surgical systems 100 and 200.

In one exemplification, the robotic surgical system 15000 can encompass the robotic system 110 (FIG. 2), which includes the surgeon's console 118, the surgical robot 120, and the robotic hub 122. Additionally or alternatively, the robotic surgical system 15000 can communicate with another hub, such as the surgical hub 106, for example. In one instance, the robotic surgical system 15000 can be incorporated into a surgical system, such as the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100 (FIG. 1) or the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200 (FIG. 9), for example. In such instances, the robotic surgical system 15000 may interact with the cloud 104 or the cloud 204, respectively, and the surgical hub 106 or the surgical hub 206, respectively. In certain instances, a robotic hub or a surgical hub can include the central control unit 15002 and/or the central control unit 15002 can communicate with a cloud. In other instances, a surgical hub can embody a discrete unit that is separate from the central control unit 15002 and which can communicate with the central control unit 15002.

Another surgical robotic system is the da Vinci® surgical robotic system by Intuitive Surgical, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif. An example of a system is depicted in FIGS. 23-29. FIG. 23 depicts a minimally invasive robotic surgical (MIRS) system 12010 typically used for performing a minimally invasive diagnostic or surgical procedure on a patient 12012 who is lying down on an operating table 12014. The system 12010 includes a surgeon's console 12016 for use by a surgeon 12018 during the procedure. One or more assistants 12020 may also participate in the procedure. The MIRS system 12010 can further include a patient side cart 12022, i.e. a surgical robot, and an electronics cart 12024. The surgical robot 12022 can manipulate at least one removably coupled tool assembly 12026 (hereinafter referred to as a “tool”) through a minimally invasive incision in the body of the patient 12012 while the surgeon 12018 views the surgical site through the console 12016. An image of the surgical site can be obtained by an imaging device such as a stereoscopic endoscope 12028, which can be manipulated by the surgical robot 12022 to orient the endoscope 12028. Various alterative imaging devices are further described herein.

The electronics cart 12024 can be used to process the images of the surgical site for subsequent display to the surgeon 12018 through the surgeon's console 12016. The number of robotic tools 12026 used at one time will generally depend on the diagnostic or surgical procedure and the space constraints within the operating room among other factors. If it is necessary to change one or more of the robotic tools 12026 being used during a procedure, an assistant 12020 may remove the robotic tool 12026 from the surgical robot 12022, and replace it with another tool 12026 from a tray 12030 in the operating room.

Referring primarily to FIG. 24, the surgeon's console 12016 includes a left eye display 12032 and a right eye display 12034 for presenting the surgeon 12018 with a coordinated stereo view of the surgical site that enables depth perception. The console 12016 further includes one or more input control devices 12036, which in turn cause the surgical robot 12022 (FIG. 23) to manipulate one or more tools 12026 (FIG. 23). The input control devices 12036 can provide the same degrees of freedom as their associated tools 12026 (FIG. 23) to provide the surgeon with telepresence, or the perception that the input control devices 12036 are integral with the robotic tools 12026 so that the surgeon has a strong sense of directly controlling the robotic tools 12026. To this end, position, force, and tactile feedback sensors may be employed to transmit position, force, and tactile sensations from the robotic tools 12026 back to the surgeon's hands through the input control devices 12036. The surgeon's console 12016 is usually located in the same room as the patient 12012 so that the surgeon 12018 may directly monitor the procedure, be physically present if necessary, and speak to an assistant 12020 directly rather than over the telephone or other communication medium. However, the surgeon 12018 can be located in a different room, a completely different building, or other remote location from the patient 12012 allowing for remote surgical procedures. A sterile field can be defined around the surgical site. In various instances, the surgeon 12018 can be positioned outside the sterile field. A sterile adapter can define a portion of the boundary of the sterile field. An example of a sterile adapter for a robotic arm is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0257842, filed Mar. 17, 2015, titled BACKUP LATCH RELEASE FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, which issued on Dec. 12, 2017 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,839,487, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Referring primarily now to FIG. 25, the electronics cart 12024 can be coupled with the endoscope 12028 and can include a processor to process captured images for subsequent display, such as to a surgeon on the surgeon's console, or on another suitable display located locally and/or remotely. For example, where the stereoscopic endoscope 12028 is used, the electronics cart 12024 can process the captured images to present the surgeon with coordinated stereo images of the surgical site. Such coordination can include alignment between the opposing images and can include adjusting the stereo working distance of the stereoscopic endoscope. As another example, image processing can include the use of previously determined camera calibration parameters to compensate for imaging errors of the image capture device, such as optical aberrations, for example.

FIG. 26 diagrammatically illustrates a robotic surgery system 12050, such as the MIRS system 12010 of FIG. 23. As discussed herein, a surgeon's console 12052, such as the surgeon's console 12016 in FIG. 23, can be used by a surgeon to control a surgical robot 12054, such as the surgical robot 12022 in FIG. 23, during a minimally invasive procedure. The surgical robot 12054 can use an imaging device, such as a stereoscopic endoscope, to capture images of the procedure site and output the captured images to an electronics cart 12056, such as the electronics cart 12024 in FIG. 23. As discussed herein, the electronics cart 12056 can process the captured images in a variety of ways prior to any subsequent display. For example, the electronics cart 12056 can overlay the captured images with a virtual control interface prior to displaying the combined images to the surgeon via the surgeon's console 12052. The surgical robot 12054 can output the captured images for processing outside the electronics cart 12056. For example, the surgical robot 12054 can output the captured images to a processor 12058, which can be used to process the captured images. The images can also be processed by a combination of the electronics cart 12056 and the processor 12058, which can be coupled together to process the captured images jointly, sequentially, and/or combinations thereof. One or more separate displays 12060 can also be coupled with the processor 12058 and/or the electronics cart 12056 for local and/or remote display of images, such as images of the procedure site, or other related images.

FIGS. 27 and 28 show the surgical robot 12022 and a robotic tool 12062, respectively. The robotic tool 12062 is an example of the robotic tools 12026 (FIG. 23). The reader will appreciate that alternative robotic tools can be employed with the surgical robot 12022 and exemplary robotic tools are described herein. The surgical robot 12022 shown provides for the manipulation of three robotic tools 12026 and the imaging device 12028, such as a stereoscopic endoscope used for the capture of images of the site of the procedure. Manipulation is provided by robotic mechanisms having a number of robotic joints. The imaging device 12028 and the robotic tools 12026 can be positioned and manipulated through incisions in the patient so that a kinematic remote center or virtual pivot is maintained at the incision to minimize the size of the incision. Images of the surgical site can include images of the distal ends of the robotic tools 12026 when they are positioned within the field-of-view (FOV) of the imaging device 12028. Each tool 12026 is detachable from and carried by a respective surgical manipulator 12031, which is located at the distal end of one or more of the robotic joints. The surgical manipulator 12031 provides a moveable platform for moving the entirety of a tool 12026 with respect to the surgical robot 12022, via movement of the robotic joints. The surgical manipulator 12031 also provides power to operate the robotic tool 12026 using one or more mechanical and/or electrical interfaces.

FIG. 29 is a schematic of a telesurgically-controlled surgical system 12100. The surgical system 12100 includes a surgeon console 12102, which for example can be the surgeon's console 12052 (FIG. 26). The surgeon console 12102 drives a surgical robot 12104, which for example can be the surgical robot 12022 (FIG. 23). The surgical robot 12104 includes a surgical manipulator 12106, which for example can be the surgical manipulator 12031 (FIG. 27). The surgical manipulator 12106 includes a motor unit 12108 and a robotic tool 12110. The motor unit 12108 is a carriage assembly that holds five motors, which can be assigned to different mechanisms. In some exemplifications only five motors are used, while in other exemplifications more or less than five motors can be used. The motor unit 12108 includes a power motor 12112, a camshaft motor 12140, a pitch motor 12116, a yaw motor 12118, and low-force grip motor 12120, although these motors can be used for different purposes depending on the attached instrument. Generally, each motor is an electric motor that mechanically and electrically couples with corresponding inputs of the robotic tool 12110. In some exemplifications, the motor unit 12108 may be located at a proximal end of the robotic tool 12110 in a shared chassis with the robotic tool, as generally depicted by the proximal housing shown in FIG. 28. A motor housing is further described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0150192, filed Nov. 15, 2011, titled METHOD FOR PASSIVELY DECOUPLING TORQUE APPLIED BY A REMOTE ACTUATOR INTO AN INDEPENDENTLY ROTATING MEMBER, which issued on Aug. 4, 2015 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,095,362, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The robotic tool 12110 for example, can be the robotic tool 12026 (FIG. 23) described herein. The robotic tool 12110 includes an elongated effector unit 12122 that includes three discrete inputs that each mechanically couple with the pitch motor 12116, the yaw motor 12118, and the low-force grip motor 12120, respectively, by way of the surgical manipulator 12106. The robotic tool 12110 also includes a transmission 12124, which mechanically couples with the power motor 12112 and the camshaft motor 12140. Examples of tools are further described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2015/153642, filed Mar. 31, 2015, titled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION, and in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2015/153636, filed Mar. 31, 2015, titled CONTROL INPUT ACCURACY FOR TELEOPERATED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

A surgical end effector 12126 is located at the distal end of the effector unit 12122. The surgical end effector 12126 and effector unit 12122 are connected by way of a moveable wrist. An example of such a wrist is shown at U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0118708, filed Nov. 12, 2010, titled DOUBLE UNIVERSAL JOINT, and in U.S. Pat. No. 9,216,062, filed Feb. 15, 2012, titled SEALS AND SEALING METHODS FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATED END EFFECTOR ACTUATED BY A DRIVE SHAFT, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In simplistic terms, the surgical end effector can be characterized by a plurality of discrete but interrelated mechanisms, with each mechanism providing a degree of freedom (DOF) for the surgical end effector 12126. As used herein with respect to surgical system 12100, a DOF is one or more interrelated mechanisms for affecting a corresponding movement. The DOFs endow the surgical end effector 12126 with different modes of operation that can operate concurrently or discretely. For example, the wrist enables the surgical end effector 12126 to pitch and yaw with respect to the surgical manipulator 12106, and accordingly includes a pitch DOF 12128 and a yaw DOF 12130. The surgical end effector 12126 also includes a roll DOF 12132 rotating surgical end effector 12126 about an elongated axis. Different robotic tool can have different DOFs, as further described herein.

The surgical end effector 12126 may include a clamping and cutting mechanism, such as a surgical stapler. An example of such an instrument, including a staple cartridge therefor, is further described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0105552, filed Oct. 26, 2012, titled CARTRIDGE STATUS AND PRESENCE DETECTION, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0105545, filed Oct. 26, 2012, titled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INTEGRAL KNIFE BLADE, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their respective entireties. A clamping mechanism can grip according to two modes, and accordingly include two DOFs. A low-force DOF 12134 (e.g., a cable actuated mechanism) operates to toggle the clamp with low force to gently manipulate tissue. The low-force DOF 12134 is useful for staging the surgical end effector for a cutting or stapling operation. A high-force DOF 12136 (e.g., a lead screw actuated mechanism) operates to further open the clamp or close the clamp onto tissue with relatively high force, for example, to tourniquet tissue in preparation for a cutting or stapling operation. Once clamped, the surgical end effector 12126 employs a tool actuation DOF 12138 to further affect the tissue, for example, to affect tissue by a stapling, cutting, and/or cauterizing device. Clamping systems for a surgical end effector are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,393,017, filed May 15, 2012, titled METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING STAPLE CARTRIDGE MISFIRE OR FAILURE, which issued on Jul. 19, 2016, U.S. Pat. No. 8,989,903, filed Jan. 13, 2012, titled METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INDICATING A CLAMPING PREDICTION, which issued on Mar. 2, 2015, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,662,177, filed Mar. 2, 2015, titled METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INDICATING A CLAMPING PREDICTION, which issued on May 30, 2017, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their respective entireties.

As shown in FIG. 29, the pitch motor 12116, the yaw motor 12118, and the low-force grip motor 12120 drive the pitch DOF 12128, the yaw DOF 12130, and the low-force grip DOF 12134, respectively. Accordingly, each of the pitch DOF 12128, the yaw DOF 12130, and the low force grip DOF 12134 is discretely paired with a motor, and can operate independently and concurrently with respect to other DOFs. However, the high force grip DOF 12136, the roll DOF 12132, and the tool actuation DOF 12138 share a single input with the power motor 12112, via the transmission 12124. Accordingly, only one of the high-force grip DOF 12136, the roll DOF 12132, and the tool actuation DOF 12138 can operate at one time, since coupling with the power motor 12112 occurs discretely. The camshaft motor 12140 is actuated to shift output of the power motor 12112 between the high force grip DOF 12136, the roll DOF 12132, and the tool actuation DOF 12138. Accordingly, the transmission 12124 advantageously allows a greater amount of DOFs than an arrangement where each motor is dedicated to a single DOF.

Additional features and operations of a surgical robotic system, such as the robotic surgical system of FIGS. 23-29, are further described in the following references, which are herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0118708, filed Nov.         12, 2010, titled DOUBLE UNIVERSAL JOINT;     -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,095,362, filed Nov. 15, 2011, titled METHOD FOR         PASSIVELY DECOUPLING TORQUE APPLIED BY A REMOTE ACTUATOR INTO AN         INDEPENDENTLY ROTATING MEMBER, which issued on Aug. 4, 2015;     -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,989,903, filed Jan. 13, 2012, titled METHODS AND         SYSTEMS FOR INDICATING A CLAMPING PREDICTION, which issued on         Mar. 24, 2015;     -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,216,062, filed Feb. 15, 2012, titled SEALS AND         SEALING METHODS FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATED         END EFFECTOR ACTUATED BY A DRIVE SHAFT, which issued on Dec. 22,         2015;     -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,393,017, filed May 15, 2012, titled METHODS AND         SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING STAPLE CARTRIDGE MISFIRE OR FAILURE, which         issued on Jul. 19, 2016;     -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0105552, filed Oct.         26, 2012, titled CARTRIDGE STATUS AND PRESENCE DETECTION;     -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0105545, filed Oct.         26, 2012, titled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INTEGRAL KNIFE BLADE;     -   International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2015/142814,         filed Mar. 17, 2015, titled SURGICAL CANNULA MOUNTS AND RELATED         SYSTEMS AND METHODS;     -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0257842, filed Mar.         17, 2015, titled BACKUP LATCH RELEASE FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;     -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0257841, filed Mar.         17, 2015, titled LATCH RELEASE FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;     -   International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2015/153642,         filed Mar. 31, 2015, titled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SHIFTABLE         TRANSMISSION;     -   International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2015/153636,         filed Mar. 31, 2015, titled CONTROL INPUT ACCURACY FOR         TELEOPERATED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT; and     -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,662,177, filed Mar. 2, 2015, titled METHODS AND         SYSTEMS FOR INDICATING A CLAMPING PREDICTION, which issued on         May 30, 2017.

The robotic surgical systems and features disclosed herein can be employed with the da Vinci® surgical robotic system referenced herein and/or the system of FIGS. 23-29. The reader will further appreciate that various systems and/or features disclosed herein can also be employed with alternative surgical systems including the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 100, the computer-implemented interactive surgical system 200, the robotic surgical system 110, the robotic hub 122, the robotic hub 222, and/or the robotic surgical system 15000, for example.

In various instances, a robotic surgical system can include a robotic control tower, which can house the control unit of the system. For example, the processor 12058 (FIG. 26) can be housed within a robotic control tower. The robotic control tower can comprise a robot hub such as the robotic hub 122 (FIG. 2) or the robotic hub 222 (FIG. 9), for example. Such a robotic hub can include a modular interface for coupling with one or more generators, such as an ultrasonic generator and/or a radio frequency generator, and/or one or more modules, such as an imaging module, a suction module, an irrigation module, a smoke evacuation module, and/or a communication module.

A robotic hub can include a situational awareness module, which can be configured to synthesize data from multiple sources to determine an appropriate response to a surgical event. For example, a situational awareness module can determine the type of surgical procedure, step in the surgical procedure, type of tissue, and/or tissue characteristics, as further described herein. Moreover, such a module can recommend a particular course of action or possible choices based on the synthesized data. In various instances, a sensor system encompassing a plurality of sensors distributed throughout the robotic system can provide data, images, and/or other information to the situational awareness module. Such a situational awareness module can be accessible to the processor 12058, for example. In various instances, the situational awareness module can obtain data and/or information from a non-robotic surgical hub and/or a cloud, such as the surgical hub 106 (FIG. 1), the surgical hub 206 (FIG. 10), the cloud 104 (FIG. 1), and/or the cloud 204 (FIG. 9), for example. Situational awareness of a surgical system is further disclosed herein and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,340, titled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Surgical systems including a robot, a visualization system (such as the visualization system 108 or the visualization system 208), and one or more hubs (such as the hub 106, the robotic hub 122, the hub 206, and/or the robotic hub 222) can benefit from robust communication systems for data collection and dissemination. For example, various parameters regarding the surgical site, the surgical instrument(s), and/or the surgical procedure can be important information to the robot, the visualization system, and the hub(s). Moreover, the robot can include one or more subassemblies, such as a control console, which may require information regarding the surgical site, the surgical instrument(s), and/or the surgical procedure, for example. It can be helpful to collect and disseminate the information to the appropriate assemblies and/or subassemblies in real-time or near real-time to inform the machine learning and/or decision-making process, for example. In certain instances, data collection and dissemination can inform the situational awareness of a surgical system that includes one or more robotic systems.

In one aspect, a robotic surgical system can include additional communication paths. For example, a robotic surgical system can include a primary wired communication path and a secondary wireless communication path. In certain instances, the two communication paths can be independent such that a secondary path is redundant and/or parallel to a primary path. In various instances, a first type and/or amount of data can be transferred along the primary path and a second type and/or amount of data can be transferred along the secondary path. The multiple communication paths can improve connectivity of the robot and/or the robotic surgical tools to one or more displays within the surgical theater, a control console, and/or control unit. The communication paths can connect a surgical robot to a central control unit (e.g. a hub) and/or a visualization system (e.g. a display), for example. In various instances, the additional communication paths can provide additional data to the robot and/or to a generator module and/or a processor in communication with the generator module.

Referring primarily to FIG. 30, a robotic surgical system 12200 including a console 12216 and a robot 12222 is depicted. The console 12216 can be similar in many respects to the console 12016 (FIGS. 23 and 24), and the robot 12222 can be similar in many respects to the robot 12022 (FIGS. 23 and 27). A robotic tool 12226, which can be similar in many respects to the robotic tool 12026 (FIG. 23), for example, is positioned at the distal end of one of the arms of the robot 12222. The robotic tool 12226 is an energy device. For example, energy can be supplied to the robotic tool 12226 by a generator that is coupled to the robotic tool 12226.

The robotic surgical system 12200 also includes a hub 12224, which can be similar in many respects to the robotic hub 122 (FIG. 2) and/or the robotic hub 222 (FIG. 9). The hub 12224 includes a generator module 12230, which is similar in many respects to the generator module 140 (FIG. 3), and a wireless communication module 12238, which is similar in many respects to the communication module 130 (FIG. 3). The generator module 12230 is configured to supply energy to the robotic tool 12226 via a first wired connection 12244.

In one instance, the first wired connection 12244 can be a two-way communication path between the robotic tool 12226 and the surgical hub 12224. The first wired connection 12244 can convey advanced energy parameters or other electrical data between the robotic tool 12226 and the surgical hub 12224. For example, the surgical hub 12224 can provide information to the robotic tool 12226 regarding the power level (e.g. current for an RF device and amplitude and/or frequency for an ultrasonic device) supplied thereto. Additionally, the robotic tool 12226 can provide information to the robot 12222 regarding the detected conductivity and/or impendence at the tissue interface, corresponding to a property of the tissue and/or the effectiveness of the energy device.

Additionally, a second wired connection 12240 between the console 12216 and the robotic tool 12226 mounted to the robot 12222 provides a communication path for control signals from the robot console 12216 to the robotic tool 12226. In one instance, the second wired connection 12240 can be a one-way communication path from the robot 12222 to the console 12216 with respect to control parameters or other mechanical data collected by the robot 12222 and/or the robotic tool 12226. For example, the robot 12222 can provide information to the console 12216 about a surgical actuation of the robotic tool, such as a closing motion and/or a firing motion. More specifically, the robot can communicate force-to-clamp parameters (e.g. clamping pressure by the robotic tool 12226 on tissue) and/or force-to-fire parameters from the robotic tool 12226 to the console 12216, for example.

Referring still to FIG. 30, absent the wireless communication paths 12242 and 12246, the robotic hub 12224 may be unable to communicate with the console 12216 and vice versa. Additionally, the robotic tool 12226 may be unable to communicate with the hub 12224. In instances in which communication paths between the hub 12224 and the robot 12222 and/or the robotic tool 12226 are lacking, the mechanical control parameters (e.g. clamping force) from the robotic tool 12226 may not be communicated to the robotic hub 12224 and the generator module 12230 thereof. Additionally, electrical advanced energy parameters may not be communicated from the robot 12222 to the robotic hub 12224 and/or to the console 12216. In such instances, the system 12200 would comprise open-loop controls.

Different energy parameters and different clamping pressures may be better suited for certain types of tissue and/or certain applications. For example, an ultrasonic weld is generally a function of transducer amplitude and clamping pressure over time. Similarly, an RF weld is generally a function of current and clamping pressure over time. However, without the wireless communication paths 12242 and 12246 mentioned above, the generator module 12230 can be unaware of the clamping pressure. Similarly, the console 12216 can be unaware of the energy parameters.

To optimize the control of the robotic tool 12226, the robotic tool 12226 can convey one or more mechanical control parameters to the robotic hub 12224. Additionally, the hub 12224 can convey one or more advanced energy parameters to the console 12216. The data transfer can provide closed-loop controls for the system 12200. In one instance, the mechanical control parameters and advanced energy parameters can be balanced for different types of tissue and/or particular applications. For example, the clamping pressure can be decreased and the power to the robotic tool 12226 can be increased, or vice versa.

Referring still to FIG. 30, the robotic tool 12226 includes a wireless communication module 12228, as further described herein. The wireless communication module 12228 is in signal communication with the wireless communication module 12238 of the robotic hub 12224 via the wireless communication path 12242. For example, the wireless communication module 12238 can include a first receiver 12232 configured to receive wireless signals from the robotic tool 12226. The wireless communication module 12238 also includes a second receiver 12234, which can receive signals from the console 12216 via the second wireless communication path 12246. In such instances, the first and second wireless communication paths 12242 and 12246, respectively, can complete a communication circuit back to the console 12216 from the robotic tool 12226 via the surgical hub 12224, for example.

In other instances, the wireless communication module 12228 can be on the robot 12222. For example, the wireless communication module 12228 can be positioned on an arm of the robot and/or a tool mounting portion of the robot 12222.

Additionally or alternatively, a wireless communication path can be provided between the robotic tool 12226 and the console 12216.

The wireless paths described herein can provide data transfer without encumbering the mobility of the robotic tool 12226 and/or creating additional opportunities for entanglement or cords and/or wires. In other instances, one or more of the wireless communication paths described herein can be replaced with wired connection(s).

In one aspect, the robotic tool 12226 and/or the hub 12224 can share information regarding sensed tissue parameters (e.g. conductivity or inductance corresponding to a property of the tissue) and/or control algorithms for energizing the tissue (e.g. power levels), which can be based on the sensed tissue parameters. The robotic tool 12226 can provide information regarding the status, the activation state, identification information, and/or smart data to the hub 12224, for example. Data provided to the hub 12224 can be stored, analyzed, and/or further disseminated by the hub 12224 such as to a display screen 12236 thereof. In such instances, the hub 12224 is a conduit or relay post for transmitting the data to additional locations via the wired or wireless connections.

In certain instances, the hub 12224 includes a situational awareness module, as further described herein. The situational awareness module can be configured to determine and/or confirm a step in a surgical procedure and/or suggest a particular surgical action based on information received from various sources, including the robot 12222 and the console 12216. The wireless communication paths 12242 and 12246 linking the hub 12224 to the robot 12222 and the console 12216, respectively, can be configured to inform the situational awareness module. For example, mechanical control parameters regarding clamping and/or firing can be communicated to the hub 12224 and the situational awareness module thereof via the second wireless communication path 12246. Additionally or alternatively, energy parameters regarding activation of the energy tool and/or sensed tissue parameters can be communicated to the hub 12224 and the situational awareness module thereof via the first wireless communication path 12242.

In certain instances, the data wirelessly transmitted to the hub 12224 can inform the situational awareness module thereof. For example, based on sensed tissue parameters detected by the robotic tool 12226 and transmitted along the first wireless communication path 12242, the situational awareness module can determine and/or confirm the type of tissue involved in the surgical procedure and, in certain instances, can suggest a therapeutic response based on the type of tissue encountered.

Referring still to FIG. 30, the second wired connection 12240 from the robot 12222 to the console 12216 provides a first communication path. Moreover, the wired or wireless connection between the robot 12222 and the hub 12224 in combination with the wireless communication path 12246 between the hub 12224 and the console 12216 forms a second, parallel communication path from the robot 12222 to the console 12212. Because the second communication path communicates via the hub 12224 and the wireless communication module 12238 thereof, the second communication path is different than the first communication path. However, such a path provides a parallel and alternative path to the second wired connection 12240 between the robot 12222 and the console 12216. Similarly, parallel and/or redundant paths are also provided via the wireless path 12242 and the wired path 12244 between the robot 12222 and the hub 12224. The alternative parallel communication path(s) can bolster the integrity of the communications systems and enables robot communication between the various components of the surgical system.

Additionally or alternatively, information may be communicated directly to a device or system having wireless capabilities such as a visualization system or display like the visualization system 108 or the visualization system 208, for example. A surgical system 12300 depicted in FIG. 55 includes the console 12216 for a surgeon S, the robot 12222 including the robotic tool 12226 mounted thereto, and the surgical hub 12224. The surgical system 12300 also includes a monitor 12350, which is positioned within the surgical theater. Additional clinicians can be within the surgical theater including a nurse N, a medical assistant MA, and an anesthesiologist A. Certain clinicians can be positioned within the sterile field. For example, the nurse N, who is stationed at a table 12352 supporting a plurality of medical instruments and robotic tools, can be sterile. The medical assistant MA holding the handheld surgical instrument and the anesthesiologist A may be positioned outside the sterile field. The monitor 12350 is viewable by clinicians within the sterile field and outside the sterile field. An additional display 12354 can be positioned within the sterile field. The additional display 12354 can be a mobile computer with wireless, cellular and/or Bluetooth capabilities, for example. In one instance, the additional display 12354 can be a tablet, such as an iPad® tablet, that is positionable on the patient P or patient table 12358. In such instances, the display 12354 is positioned within the sterile field.

The wireless communication module 12228 (FIG. 30) on the robotic tool 12226 can be in signal communication with the monitor 12350 and/or the display 12354. In such instances, data and/or information obtained at the surgical site and/or by the robotic tool 12226 can be directly communicated to a screen within the surgical theater and immediately viewable to various clinicians with the surgical theater, including clinicians within the sterile field or outside the sterile field. In such instances, data can be provided in real time, or near real time, to inform the clinicians' decisions during the surgical procedure. Additionally, certain information can be communicated to the hub 12224 for further storage, analysis and/or dissemination, as further described herein.

Owing to wireless communication paths, the monitor 12350 and/or the display 12354 can also display information from the hub, including energy parameters, in certain instances. For example, the hub 12224 can obtain data indicative of an activation state or activation level of the generator module 12230 (FIG. 30) and/or can receive data indicative of sensed tissue parameters from the robotic tool 12226, as further described herein. In such instances, the activation information and/or tissue information can be displayed on the monitor 12350 and/or the display 12354 such that the information is readily available to operators both within the sterile filed and outside the sterile field.

In one aspect, the hub 12224 can ultimately communicate with a cloud, such as the cloud 104 or the cloud 204, for example, to further inform the machine-learning and decision-making processes related to the advanced energy parameters and/or mechanical control parameters of the robotic tool 12226. For example, a cloud can determine an appropriate surgical action and/or therapeutic response for a particular tissue parameter, surgical procedure, and/or patient demographic based on aggregated data stored therein. To protect patient confidentiality, the hub 12224 can communicate redacted and/or a confidential version of the data, for example.

As described herein with respect to FIG. 30, the robotic tool 12226 includes the wireless communication module 12228. The wireless communication module 12228 is also shown in FIG. 31. Specifically, a proximal portion of the robotic tool 12226 including the wireless communication module 12228 is depicted in FIG. 31, as well as a tool mounting portion, or attachment portion, 12250 of the robot 12222 for releasably attaching the proximal housing of the robotic tool 12226. A detailed view of a mechanical and electrical interface between the robotic tool 12226 and the tool mounting portion 12250 is depicted in FIG. 32.

The robotic tool 12226 includes a first drive interface 12252 that drivingly couples with a second drive interface 12254 on the tool mounting portion 12250. The tool mounting portion 12250 includes a carriage or motor housing that houses a plurality of motors, which can be similar in many respects to the motors 12112, 12116, 12118, 12120, and 12140 (FIG. 29), for example. The motors are driving coupled to rotary outputs 12256 at the second drive interface 12254 that engage rotary inputs 12258 on the robotic tool 12226. For example, the rotary inputs 12258 are positioned and structured to mechanically mate with the rotary outputs 12256 on the tool mounting portion 12250.

A plug 12260 for supplying power to the motors is shown in FIG. 31. The plug 12260 is also coupled to the wireless communication module 12228. In such instances, the wireless communication module 12228 can be powered via a current supplied by the plug 12260. The plug 12260 can ultimately be wired to the generator module 12230 in the hub 12224 to complete the wired connection 12244 between the robotic tool 12226 and the hub 12224 (see FIG. 30).

Referring primarily now to FIG. 31, the tool mounting portion 12250 also includes electrical contacts 12262, and the robotic tool 12226 includes electrical contacts 12264 positioned and structured to mate with the electrical contacts 12262 on the tool mounting portion 12250. Electrical signals can be communicated between the robotic tool 12226 and the robot 12222 (FIG. 30) via the mating electrical contacts 12262, 12264. In certain instances, mechanical control parameters from the robotic tool 12262 can be communicated to the robot 12222 via the electrical contacts 12262, 12264, as further described herein. Additionally or alternatively, advanced energy parameters can be communicated to the robot 12222 and/or to the robotic tool 12226 via the mating electrical contacts 12262, 12264, or vice versa, as further described herein.

As depicted in FIG. 32, when the robotic tool 12226 is mounted to the tool mounting portion 12250, a flex circuit 12270 is positioned intermediate the mating electrical contacts 12264 of the robotic tool 12226 and the electrical contacts 12262 of the tool mounting portion 12250 to facilitate data transmission. The flex circuit 12270 is positioned to intercept communication signals between the robotic tool 12262 and the tool mounting portion 12250. In such instances, the flex circuit 12270 is configured to capture signals passing between those contacts 12262, 12264. In certain instances, the flex circuit 12270 can provide intelligence features to the robotic tool 12226.

In various instances, the flex circuit 12270 can include a feedback pigtail connector. The pigtail connector can intercept the connection between the robotic tool 12226 and the tool mounting portion 12250.

In various instances, the flex circuit 12270 of FIG. 31 can also include a wireless transmitter that is configured to communicate with the hub 12224 (FIG. 30) via the wireless communication path 12242. In other instances, the flex circuit 12270 can be coupled to a wireless communication module like the module 12228 in FIGS. 30 and 31, which can include a wireless transmitter and/or a wireless receiver.

The flex circuit 12270 occupies a small footprint between the tool mounting portion 12250 and the robotic tool 12226. In one aspect, existing robotic systems can be retrofit with such flex circuits. In other words, existing robotic tools and tool mounting portion can utilize the robust communication systems described herein without modifying the current robotic tools and/or tool mounting portions.

In various instances, the flex circuit 12270, or another intermediate pigtail connector, can be configured to acquire one or more signals between an external controller (e.g., an energy generator of a generator module 140 in a hub 106 (FIG. 3)) and the robotic tool 12226. Moreover, such a circuit or connector can be used to deliver signals to the robotic tool 12226 via the intercepting connections.

In one aspect, the robotic hub includes a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, as described herein. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to relay a wireless signal between a robot and a control console, as described herein. In certain instances, the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to adjust a control parameter of the generator (e.g. power level) based on signals intercepted by a flex circuit and/or transmitted along a wireless communication path. Additionally or alternatively, the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to adjust a control parameter of the energy tool (e.g. clamping pressure) based on signals indicative of a tissue property intercepted by the flex circuit and/or transmitted along the wireless communication path.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a control circuit to relay a wireless signal between a robot and a control console, adjust a control parameter of the generator, and/or adjust a control parameter of an energy tool, as described herein. In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause a machine to relay a wireless signal between a robot and a control console, adjust a control parameter of the generator, and/or adjust a control parameter of an energy tool, as described herein.

In one aspect, one or more features and/or effects of a robotically-controlled surgical tool and end effector thereof can be controlled by a control algorithm. For example, the intensity of an end effector effect can be controlled by a control algorithm stored in the memory of the robot and executable by a processor. In one instance, an end effector effect can be smoke evacuation, insufflation, and/or cooling. In another instance, an end effector effect can be articulation and/or retraction. As an example, a robot can implement a load control holding algorithm for articulation of a robotic tool that results in a predefined lateral load on tissue and is limited by a displacement limit, as further described herein.

In certain instances, it can be desirable to incorporate a pump into a robotically-controlled surgical tool, such as an energy tool including an RF electrode and/or an ultrasonic blade, for example. A pump can provide insufflation gases or air to a surgical site. In certain instances, a pump can provide coolant to a surgical site and/or can extract smoke and/or steam from the surgical site.

Robotically-controlled surgical tools include a drive system for releasably engaging with a robot and transferring drive motions from the robot to the robotic tool. For example, a robotically-controlled surgical tool can include an interface including rotary driver(s) configured to receive rotary inputs from motor(s) in a motor housing or tool mounting portion. Exemplary drive systems and interfaces therefor are further described herein.

The rotary drivers in the robotic tools are configured to actuate various surgical functions such as rotation of a shaft, closure of end effector jaws, and articulation of the end effector, for example. Examples of interface configurations are further described herein and in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2015/153642, filed Mar. 31, 2015, titled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION, in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2015/153636, filed Mar. 31, 2015, titled CONTROL INPUT ACCURACY FOR TELEOPERATED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, and in U.S. Pat. No. 9,095,362, filed Nov. 15, 2011, titled METHOD FOR PASSIVELY DECOUPLING TORQUE APPLIED BY A REMOTE ACTUATOR INTO AN INDEPENDENTLY ROTATING MEMBER, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In certain instances, the number of motors, the number of rotary drivers, and/or the arrangements of motors and/or rotary drivers can be limited or constrained by the footprint of the drive system and/or coupling between the robotic tool and the tool mounting portion. In one aspect, it can be desirable for new and/or improved robotically-controlled surgical tools to be compatible with existing robotic platforms. For example, without enlarging the motor housing or tool mounting portion, it can be desirable to change the functionality and/or add functionality to robotic tools for use with an existing motor housing and tool mounting portion. In such instances, it can be challenging to incorporate certain features, like a pump for example, into a robotic tool compatible with an existing surgical robot. Moreover, it can be desirable to include controls and/or control algorithms for such a pump within the existing architecture of the surgical robot.

In one aspect, a pump for a robotic tool can be powered by a rotary drive of the robotic tool interface. The rotary drive and, thus, the pump can be driven at a variable rate, which can depend on the needs of the robotic tool and/or the surgical procedure. For example, the speed of the rotary drive coupled to the pump can be related to the volume of smoke being evacuated from the surgical site and/or the application of energy to tissue by the robotic tool. In one instance, the robotic tool can be an intelligent tool that includes a processor configured to determine the appropriate rate for the pump based on sensors on the robotic tool and/or other inputs thereto. In other instances, a processor in the control unit of the robot can be configured to determine the appropriate rate for the pump based on sensors on the robot and/or modules thereof, such as a smoke evacuation module in a robotic hub, for example.

Energy devices utilize energy to affect tissue. In an energy device, the energy is supplied by a generator. Energy devices include devices with tissue-contacting electrodes, such as an electrosurgical device having one or more radio frequency (RF) electrodes, and devices with vibrating surfaces, such as an ultrasonic device having an ultrasonic blade. For an electrosurgical device, a generator is configured to generate oscillating electric currents to energize the electrodes. For an ultrasonic device, a generator is configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations to energize the ultrasonic blade.

As provided herein, energy devices deliver mechanical or electrical energy to a target tissue in order to treat the tissue (e.g. to cut the tissue and/or cauterize blood vessels within and/or near the target tissue). The cutting and/or cauterization of tissue can result in fluids and/or particulates being released into the air. Such fluids and/or particulates emitted during a surgical procedure can constitute smoke, for example, which can include carbon and/or other particles suspended in air.

In various instances, an energy tool for use with a robotic system can include a suction port coupled to a pump that is powered by a motor on the tool driver. For example, an energy tool for the da Vinci® surgical robotic system can include a suction port coupled to a pump that is powered by a motor on the tool driver. The pump can be configured to extract smoke from a surgical site via the suction port. In such instances, the energy tool can include a smoke evacuation system. In one aspect, the robotic tool can include a pump. Alternatively, the robotic tool can be coupled to a pump.

The reader will appreciate that such an evacuation system can be referred to as a “smoke evacuation system” though such an evacuation system can be configured to evacuate more than just smoke from a surgical site. Throughout the present disclosure, the “smoke” evacuated by an evacuation system is not limited to just smoke. Rather, the evacuation systems disclosed herein can be used to evacuate a variety of fluids, including liquids, gases, vapors, smoke, steam, or combinations thereon. The fluids can be biologic in origin and/or can be introduced to the surgical site from an external source during a procedure. The fluids can include water, saline, lymph, blood, exudate, and/or pyogenic discharge, for example. Moreover, the fluids can include particulates or other matter (e.g. cellular matter or debris) that is evacuated by the evacuation system. For example, such particulates can be suspended in the fluid.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 33-35, a robotic tool 12426 for use with a robotic surgical system is depicted. The robotic tool 12426 can be employed with the robotic surgical system 12010 (FIG. 23), for example. The robotic tool 12426 is a bipolar radio-frequency (RF) robotic tool. For example, the tool can be similar in many respects to the tool disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,771,270, filed on Jul. 16, 2008, titled BIPOLAR CAUTERY INSTRUMENT, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In other instances, the robotic tool 12426 can be a monopolar RF tool, an ultrasonic tool, or a combination ultrasonic-RF tool. For example, the robotic tool 12426 can be similar in many similar to the tool disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,314,308, filed Mar. 13, 2013, titled ROBOTIC ULTRASONIC SURGICAL DEVICE WITH ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The robotic tool 12426 includes a proximal housing 12437, a shaft 12438 extending from the proximal housing 12437, and an end effector 12428 extending from a distal end of the shaft 12438. Referring primarily to FIG. 34, the end effector 12428 includes opposing jaws 12430 a, 12430 b. Each jaw 12430 a, 12430 b includes a tissue-contacting surface including an electrode. For example, the jaw 12430 a can include a supply electrode, and the jaw 12430 b can include a return electrode, or vice versa. The end effector 12428 is shown in a clamped configuration and generating an RF weld in FIG. 34. In such instances, smoke S from the RF weld may accumulate around the end effector 12428. For example, the smoke S can accumulate in the abdomen of a patient in certain instances.

The robotic tool 12426 also includes an evacuation system 12436. For example, to improve visibility and efficiency of the robotic tool 12426, the smoke S at the surgical site can be evacuated along an evacuation channel, or suction conduit, 12440 extending proximally from the end effector 12428. The evacuation channel 12440 can extend through the shaft 12438 of the robotic tool 12426 to the proximal housing 12437. The evacuation conduit 12440 terminates at a suction port 12442 adjacent to the end effector 12428. During operating of the evacuation system 12436, smoke S at the surgical site is drawn into the suction port 12442 and through the evacuation conduit 12440.

In various instances, the robotic tool 12426 can include insufflation, cooling, and/or irrigation capabilities, as well. For example, the evacuation system 12436 can be configured to selectively pump a fluid, such as saline or CO₂ for example, toward the end effector 12428 and into the surgical site.

In various instances, the evacuation channel 12440 can be coupled to a pump for drawing the smoke S along the evacuation channel 12440 within the shaft 12438 of the robotic tool 12426. Referring primarily to FIG. 35, the evacuation system 12436 includes a pump 12446. The pump 12446 is housed in the proximal housing 12437 of the robotic tool 12426. The pump 12446 is a lobe pump, which has been incorporated into a drive interface 12448 of the robotic tool 12426. The drive interface 12448 includes rotary drivers 12450, which are driven by rotary outputs from motors in the tool mounting portion of the robot, as described herein (see rotary outputs 12256 (FIG. 31) and rotary outputs 12824 a-12824 e (FIG. 39), for example).

Lobe pumps can be low volume and quiet or noiseless and, thus, desirable in certain instances. For example, a lobe pump can ensure the noise generated by the evacuation system 12436 is not distracting to the clinicians and/or allows communication between clinicians in the surgical theater. The reader will readily appreciate that different pumps can be utilized by the evacuation system 12436 in other instances.

A channel 12452 terminating in a fitting 12454 extends from the pump 12446 in FIGS. 33 and 35. The fitting 12454 is a luer fitting, however, the reader will readily appreciate that alternative fittings are envisioned. The luer fitting can be selectively coupled to a reservoir that is configured to receive the smoke S from the surgical site, for example. Additionally or alternatively, the luer fitting can supply discharge from the pump 12446 to a filter.

Referring still to FIG. 35, internal components of the drive interface 12448 are depicted, however, certain components are excluded for clarity. The evacuation channel 12440 extends through the shaft 12438 to the lobe pump 12446 in the proximal housing 12437. The pump 12446 is driven by a rotary driver 12450 of the interface 12448. In various instances, the interface 12448 can include four rotary drivers 12450. In one example, a first rotary driver 12450 is configured to power an articulation motion, a second rotary driver 12450 is configured to power a jaw closure motion, a third rotary driver 12450 is configured to power a shaft rotation, and a fourth rotary driver 12450 is configured to power the pump 12446. The reader will appreciate that alternative interface arrangements can include more than or less than four rotary drivers 12450. Additionally, the drive motions generated by the rotary drivers 12450 can vary depending on the desired functionality of the robotic tool 12426. Moreover, in certain instances, the drive interface 12448 can include a transmission or shifter such that the rotary drivers 12450 can shift between multiple surgical functions, as further described herein (see transmission 12124 in FIG. 29 and transmission assembly 12840 in FIGS. 40-45, for example). In one instance, the rotary driver 12450 coupled to the pump 12446 can also actuate a clamping motion of the end effector 12428, for example.

In one aspect, activation of the pump 12446 of the robotic tool 12426 can be coordinated with the application of energy by the robotic tool 12426. In various instances, a control algorithm for the rotary driver 12450 for the pump 12446 can be related to the rate at which smoke S is extracted from the surgical site. In such instances, the robot (e.g. the robot 12022 in FIGS. 23 and 27) can have direct control over the volume of evacuation and/or extraction from the surgical site.

In one instance, the on/off control for the pump 12446 is controlled based on inputs from a camera, such as the camera of the imaging device 124 (FIG. 2) like an endoscope, for example. The imaging device 124 can be configured to detect the presence of smoke S in a visual field at the surgical site. In another aspect, the on/off control for the pump 12446 is controlled based on inputs from a smoke sensor 12453 (FIG. 34) in-line with the fluid being pumped out of the patient. For example, the pump 12446 can remain on as long as a threshold amount of smoke S is detected by the smoke sensor 12453 and can be turned off or paused when the detected volume of smoke S falls below the threshold amount. In still another aspect, the pump 12446 is turned on when energy is activated and, in certain instances, can remain on for a period of time after the energy has been stopped. The duration of time for which the pump 12446 can remain on after the energy has stopped may be fixed or may be proportional to the length of time the energy was activated, for example.

Referring primarily to FIG. 37, a flow chart depicting logic steps for operating a pump, such as the pump 12446, is depicted. A processor for the robot (e.g. robot 12022) and/or a processor of a hub (e.g. hub 106, hub 206, robotic hub 122, and robotic hub 222) that is in signal communication with the robot can determine or estimate the rate of smoke evacuation from the surgical site. The rate of smoke evacuation can be determined at step 12510 by one or more factors or inputs including the activation of energy by the robotic tool (a first input 12502), a smoke sensor in-line with the smoke evacuation channel (a second input 12504), and/or an imaging device configured to view the surgical site (a third input 12506). The first input 12502 can correspond to the duration of energy application and/or the power level, for example. Based on the one or more factors, the pump can be adjusted at step 12512. For example, the rate at which the rotary driver drives the pump can be adjusted. In other instances, the rotary driver can stop or pause the operation of the pump while the detected rate of smoke evacuation is below a threshold volume. The flow chart of FIG. 37 can continue throughout the operation of a robotic tool. In certain instances, the steps 12510 and 12512 can be repeated at predefined intervals during a surgical procedure and/or when requested by a clinician and/or recommend by a hub.

Referring now to FIG. 36, a robotic tool 12526 for use with a robotic surgical system is depicted. The robotic tool 12526 can be employed with the robotic surgical system 12010 (FIG. 23), for example. The robotic tool 12526 is an ultrasonic robotic tool having cooling and insufflation capabilities. For example, the robotic tool 12526 can be similar in many respects to the robotic tool disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,314,308, filed Mar. 13, 2013, titled ROBOTIC ULTRASONIC SURGICAL DEVICE WITH ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The robotic tool 12526 includes a proximal housing 12537, a shaft 12538 extending from the proximal housing 12537, and an end effector 12528 extending from a distal end of the shaft 12538. The end effector 12528 includes an ultrasonic blade 12530 a and an opposing clamp arm 12530 b. The robotic tool 12526 also includes an irrigation system 12536, which is configured to provide a coolant, such as saline or cool CO₂ for example, to the surgical site. Irrigation can be configured to cool the tissue and/or the ultrasonic blade 12530 a, for example. The irrigation system 12536 includes an irrigation channel 12540, which extends through the shaft 12538 to the proximal housing 12537. The irrigation channel 12540 terminates at an irrigation port adjacent to the end effector 12528.

In various instances, the irrigation channel 12540 can be coupled to a blower configured to direct fluid along the irrigation channel 12540 within the shaft 12538 of the robotic tool 12526. The irrigation system 12536 includes a blower 12546. The blower 12546 is housed in the proximal housing 12537 of the robotic tool 12526. The blower 12546 is a regenerative blower, which has been incorporated into a drive interface 12548 of the robotic tool 12526. The drive interface 12548 includes rotary drivers 12550, which are driven by rotary outputs from motors in the tool mounting portion of the robot, as described herein (see rotary outputs 12256 (FIG. 31) and rotary outputs 12824 a-12824 e (FIG. 39), for example).

A channel 12552 terminating in a fitting 12554 extends from the blower 12546. The fitting 12554 is a luer fitting, however, the reader will readily appreciate that alternative fittings are envisioned. The luer fitting can be selectively coupled to a reservoir that is configured to provide the irrigation fluid to the blower 12546. In operation, coolant can enter the insufflation line through the fitting 12554 and the blower 12546 can draw the coolant toward the blower 12546 at the drive interface 12548 and then blow the coolant distally along the shaft 12538 of the robotic tool 12526 toward the end effector 12528. The coolant can be expelled at or adjacent to the end effector 12528, which can cool the ultrasonic blade and/or maintain insufflation of the surgical site, such as insufflation of an abdomen, for example.

In FIG. 36, internal components of the drive interface 12548 are depicted, however, certain components are excluded for clarity. The irrigation channel 12540 extends through the shaft 12538 to the blower 12546 in the proximal housing 12537. The blower 12546 is driven by a rotary driver 12550 of the drive interface 12548. Similar to the interface 12448 (FIG. 35), the interface 12548 includes four rotary drivers 12550. In one example, a first rotary driver 12550 is configured to power an articulation motion, a second rotary driver 12550 is configured to power a jaw closure motion, a third rotary driver 12550 is configured to power a shaft rotation, and a fourth rotary driver 12550 is configured to power the irrigation system 12536. The reader will appreciate that alternative interface arrangements can include more than or less than four rotary drivers 12550. Additionally, the drive motions generated by the rotary drivers 12550 can vary depending on the desired functionality of the robotic tool. Moreover, in certain instances, the drive interface 12548 can include a transmission or shifter such that the rotary drivers 12550 can shift between multiple surgical functions, as further described herein (see transmission 12124 in FIG. 29 and transmission assembly 12840 in FIGS. 40-45, for example). In one instance, the rotary driver 12550 coupled to the blower 12546 can also actuate a clamping motion of the end effector 12528, for example.

As described herein with respect to the pump 12446 in FIG. 35, operation of the blower 12546 in FIG. 36 can be coordinated with the application of energy by the robotic tool 12526. For example, the blower 12546 can be turned on when energy is activated and, in certain instances, the blower 12546 can remain on for a period of time after the energy has been stopped. The duration of time for which the blower 12546 can remain on after the energy has stopped may be fixed or may be proportional to the length of time the energy was activated, for example. Additionally or alternatively, the power level of the blower 12546 can be proportional or otherwise related to the activation level of the robotic tool 12526. For example, a high power level can correspond to a first rate and a lower power level can correspond to a second rate. In one example, the second rate can be less than the first rate.

In one aspect, the robotic tool 12526 can also include an insufflation pump that is upstream of the regenerative blower 12546. The insufflation pump can direct a first volume of fluid into a trocar and a second volume of fluid into the regenerative blower 12546. The fluid provided to the trocar can be configured to insufflate the surgical site, for example, the abdomen of a patient. The fluid provided by the regenerative blower 12546 can be configured to cool the ultrasonic blade, for example.

The robotic surgical tools 12426 and 12526 can be used in connection with a hub, such as the robotic hub 122 or the robotic hub 222, for example. In one aspect, the robotic hubs can include a situational awareness module, as described herein. The situational awareness module can be configured to determine and/or confirm a step in a surgical procedure and/or suggest a particular surgical action based on information received from various sources, including one or more robotic surgical tool(s) and/or a generator module. In one instance, the actuation of a pump on a robotic surgical tool can inform the situational awareness module that evacuation and/or irrigation have been employed, which can lead to a conclusion regarding a particular surgical procedure or group of surgical procedures. Similarly, data from the situational awareness module can be supplied to a processor. In certain instances, the processor can be communicatively coupled to a memory that stores instructions executable by the processor to adjust a pumping rate of the pump based on data from the situational awareness module which can indicate, for example, the type of surgical procedure and/or the step in the surgical procedure. For example, situational awareness can indicate that insufflation is necessary for at least a portion of a particular surgical procedure. In such instances, a pump, such as the blower 12546 (FIG. 36) can be activated and/or maintained at a level to maintain a sufficient insufflation.

In one aspect, the robotic surgical system includes a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, as described herein. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to rotate a driver in a robotic tool at a variable rate to provide an adjustable power level to a pump in the robotic tool, as described herein.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a control circuit to rotate a rotary driver in a robotic tool at a variable rate, as described herein. In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause a machine to rotate a rotary driver in a robotic tool at a variable rate to provide an adjustable power level to a pump in the robotic tool, as described herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 51 and 52, a surgical procedure utilizing two robotic tools is depicted. In FIG. 51, the robotic tools are engaged with tissue at a surgical site. The first tool in this example is a flexible robotic retractor 12902, which is applying a retracting force to a portion of a patient's liver L. In FIG. 52, the flexible robotic retractor 12902 can be moved along a longitudinal axis of the tool shaft in a direction A and/or can be moved laterally (e.g. pivoted at a joint between two rigid linkages in the robotic retractor) in a direction B.

The second tool in this example is an articulating bipolar tool 12904, which is being clamped on tissue. For example, the articulating bipolar tool 12904 can be configured to mobilize liver attachments A to the liver utilizing bipolar RF currents. The articulating bipolar tool 12904 can be articulated laterally (e.g. pivoted at an articulation joint proximal to the bipolar jaws of the robotic tool 12904) in the direction C. The directions A, B, and C are indicated with arrows in FIG. 52.

In the depicted example, the flexible robotic retractor 12902 seeks to hold back an organ, the liver L, as the bipolar jaws of the articulating bipolar tool 12904 seek to cut and/or seal clamped tissue to mobilize the liver attachments A. In one aspect, movement of the liver L by the flexible robotic retractor 12902 can be configured to maintain a constant retraction force as the bipolar tool 12904 mobilizes the liver attachments A to the liver L. A load control algorithm can be configured to maintain the constant retraction force on the tissue. In certain instances, the load control algorithm can be an articulation control algorithm that provides a set, or predetermined, torque at the articulation joint(s) of the articulating bipolar tool 12904 and/or the flexible robotic retractor 12902. The set torque at an articulation joint can be approximated based on current supplied to the articulation motor, for example.

In certain instances, the flexible robotic retractor 12902 can risk or otherwise threaten over-retraction of the liver L. For example, if displacement of the flexible robotic retractor 12902 approaches a set displacement limit, the flexible robot retractor 12902 can risk tearing a portion of the tissue. To prevent such an over-retraction, as the displacement of the flexible robotic retractor 12902 approaches the displacement limit, the force generated by the flexible robotic retractor 12902 can be reduced by the load control algorithm. For example, the force can be reduced below a constant, or substantially constant, retraction force when a displacement limit has been met.

Referring now to a graphical display 12910 in FIG. 53, the retraction force F exerted on an organ and the displacement δ of the robotic tool, and by extension the organ, is plotted over time. The reader will appreciate that the robotic tools 12902 and 12904, as depicted in the surgical procedure of FIGS. 51 and 52, can be utilized to generate the graphical display 12910. Alternative surgical tool(s) and surgical procedures are also contemplated. In one aspect, an operator can set a retraction force threshold Y and a displacement limit X as depicted in FIG. 53. In other instances, the retraction force threshold Y and/or the displacement limit X can be determined and/or computed based on information from a surgical hub and/or cloud. In certain instances, a particular retraction force threshold Y and/or displacement limit X can be recommended to a clinician based on data stored in the memory of the robot, the surgical hub, and/or the cloud. The retraction force threshold Y and/or the displacement limit X can depend on patient information, for example.

During the surgical procedure, if the retraction force F drops below the constant retraction force threshold Y, or drops by a predefined percentage or amount relative to the constant retraction force threshold Y, as at times t₁, t₂, and t₃, the flexible robotic retractor 12902 can be further displaced, to displace the organ, and increase the retraction force F toward the threshold Y. Similarly, if the displacement δ approaches the displacement limit X, as at time t₄, the retraction force can be reduced to limit further displacement beyond the displacement limit X. For example, referring again to FIG. 51, the liver L is depicted in a second position indicated as L′. The position of the liver L′ can correspond to the displacement limit X of the flexible robotic retractor 12902.

Referring now to FIG. 54, a flow chart depicting logic steps for operating a robotic tool, such as the tool 12902 (FIGS. 51 and 52) for example, is depicted. A processor for the robot (e.g. the robot 12022) and/or of a processor of a hub (e.g. the hub 106, the hub 206, the robotic hub 122, and the robotic hub 222) that is in signal communication with the robot can set a displacement limit at step 12920. Additionally, the processor can set a force limit at step 12922. The displacement limit and the force limit can be selected based on input from one or more sources including a clinician input 12930, a robot input 12932, a hub input 12934, and/or a cloud input 12936, as further described herein. In certain instances, the hub can suggest a particular limit based on data collected by a robot, provided to the hub, and/or stored in the cloud. For example, a situational awareness module can suggest a particular limit based on the surgical procedure or step thereof ascertained by the situational awareness module. Additionally or alternatively, the clinician can provide an input and/or select the limit from the hub's suggestions. In other instances, the clinician can override the hub's suggestions. The limits can correspond to a range of values, such as the limit±one percent, ±five percent, or ±ten percent, for example.

The robotic tool can initially operate in a constant force mode. At step 12924 in the constant force mode, the force exerted by the robotic tool can be maintained at the force limit. The processor can monitor the force to ensure the force stays below the force limit Y. If the force exceeds the force limit Y, the displacement value can be increased at step 12926 until the force reaches or sufficiently approaches the force limit Y. A force can sufficiently approach the force limit when the force is within a range of values corresponding to the force limit. The processor can monitor the displacement to ensure the displacement stays below the displacement limit X.

If the displacement approaches the displacement limit X (or enters the range of values corresponding to the displacement limit), the robotic tool can switch to a displacement limit mode. In the displacement limit mode, the force value can be decreased at step 12928 to ensure the robotic tool stays within the displacement limit. A new force limit can be set at step 12922 to ensure the displacement stays within the displacement limit. In such instances, the robotic tool can switch back to the constant force mode (with the new, reduced force limit) and steps 12924, 12926, and 12928 can be repeated.

In certain instances, the stiffness of the shaft of one or more of the robotic tools can be factored into the load control algorithm in order to achieve the desired amount of lateral force on an organ, like the liver L. For example, the flexible robotic retractor 12902 can define a stiffness that affects the lateral load exerted on a tissue by the end effector thereof.

In certain instances, a drive housing for a robotic tool can include a plurality of rotary drivers, which can be operably driven by one or more motors. The motors can be positioned in a motor carriage, which can be located at the distal end of a robotic arm. In other instances, the motors can be incorporated into the robotic tool. In certain instances, a motor can operably drive multiple rotary drivers and a transmission can be configured to switch between the multiple rotary drivers. In such instances, the robotic tool cannot simultaneously actuate two or more rotary drivers that are associated with the single drive motor. For example, as described herein with respect to FIG. 29, the motor 12112 can selectively power one of the roll DOF 12132, the high force grip DOF 12136, or the tool actuation DOF 12138. The transmission 12124 can selectively couple the motor 12112 to the appropriate DOF.

In certain instances, it can be desirable to increase the torque delivered to an output of the robotic tool. For example, clamping and/or firing of a surgical stapler may benefit from additional torque in certain instances, such as when the tissue to be cut and/or stapled is particularly thick or tough. Especially for longer end effectors and/or longer firing strokes, additional torque can be required to complete the firing stroke. In certain instances, an I-beam firing structure can be utilized, especially for longer end effectors and/or longer firing strokes. The I-beam can limit deflection at the distal tip of the firing stroke for example. However, an !-beam can require increased torque.

Additionally, certain robotic tools may require additional flexibility regarding the simultaneous operation of multiple DOFs or surgical end effector functions. To increase the power, torque, and flexibility of a robotic system, additional motors and/or larger motors can be incorporated into the motor carriage. However, the addition of motors and/or utilization of larger motors can increase the size of the motor carriage and the drive housing.

In certain instances, a robotic surgical tool can include a compact drive housing. A compact drive housing can improve the access envelope of the robotic arm. Moreover, a compact drive housing can minimize the risk of arm collisions and entanglements. Though the drive housing is compact, it can still provide sufficient power, torque, and flexibility to the robotic tool.

In certain instances, shifting between end effector functions can be achieved with one of the drive shafts. Shifting and locking of the rotary drives may only occur when a robotic surgical system is in a rest mode, for example. In one aspect, it can be practical to have three rotary drives operate as many end effector functions as needed based on the cam structure of the shifting drive. In one aspect, by using three rotary drives in cooperation, a robotic surgical tool can shift between four different possible functions instead of three different functions. For example, three rotary drives can affect shaft rotation, independent head rotation, firing, closing, and a secondary closing means. In still other instances, a rotary drive can selectively power a pump, such as in the surgical tools 12426 and 12526 in FIGS. 35 and 36, respectively, for example.

Additionally or alternatively, multiple rotary drives can cooperatively drive a single output shaft in certain instances. For example, to increase the torque delivered to a surgical tool, multiple motors can be configured to deliver torque to the same output shaft at a given time. For example, in certain instances, two drive motors can drive a single output. A shifter drive can be configured to independently engage and disengage the two drive motors from the single output. In such instances, increased torque can be delivered to the output by a compact drive housing that is associated with multiple rotary drivers and end effector functions. As a result, load capabilities of the surgical tool can be increased. Moreover, the drive housing can accommodate surgical tools that require different surgical functions, including the operation of multiple DOFs or surgical functions.

Referring now to FIGS. 38-45, a drive system 12800 for a robotic surgical tool 12830 is depicted. The drive system 12800 includes a housing 12832 and a motor carriage 12828. A shaft 12834 of the surgical tool 12830 extends from the housing 12832. The motor carriage 12828 houses five motors 12826 similar to the motor carriage 12108 (FIG. 29). In other instances, the motor carriage 12828 can house less than five motors or more than five motors. In other instances, the motors 12826 can be housed in the robotic surgical tool 12830.

Each motor 12826 is coupled to a rotary output 12824 and each rotary output 12824 is coupled to a rotary input 12836 in the housing 12832 at a drive interface 12822. The rotary motions from the motors 12826 and corresponding rotary outputs 12824 are transferred to a respective rotary input 12836. The rotary inputs 12836 correspond to rotary drivers, or rotary drive shafts, in the housing 12832. In one example, a first motor 12826 a can be a left/right articulation (or yaw) motor, a second motor 12826 b can be an up/down articulation (or pitch) motor, a third motor 12826 c can be a shifter motor, a fourth motor 12826 d can be a first cooperative motor, and a fifth motor 12826 e can be a second cooperative motor. Similarly, a first rotary output 12824 a can be a left/right articulation (or yaw) output, a second rotary output 12824 b can be an up/down articulation (or pitch) output, a third rotary output 12824 c can be a shifter output, a fourth rotary output 12824 d can be a first cooperative output, and a fifth rotary output 12824 e can be a second cooperative output. Furthermore, a first rotary input 12836 a can be a left/right articulation (or yaw) drive shaft, a second rotary input 12836 b can be an up/down articulation (or pitch) drive shaft, a third rotary input 12836 c can be a shifter drive shaft, a fourth rotary input 12836 d can be a first cooperative drive shaft, and a fifth rotary input 12836 e can be a second cooperative drive shaft. In other instances, the drive shafts 12836 a-12836 e can be operably positionable in different orientations to effectuate different gear trains configurations to transmit a desired rotary output.

The surgical tool 12830 is depicted in a plurality of different configurations in FIGS. 47-50. For example, the surgical tool 12830 is in an unactuated configuration in FIG. 47. The shaft 12834 has been articulated about the yaw and pitch axes (in the directions of the arrows A and B) in FIG. 48. Rotation of the first and second rotary inputs 12836 a and 12836 b is configured to articulate the shaft 12834 about the yaw and pitch axes, respectively. In FIG. 49, the shaft 12834 has been rotated in the direction of the arrow C about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 12834 and a jaw of the end effector 12835 has been closed with a low-force actuation in the direction of arrow D. Rotation of the fourth rotary output 12836 d is configured to selectively affect the rotation of the shaft 12834, and rotation of the fifth rotary output 12836 e is configured to selectively affect the low-force closure of the end effector 12835. In FIG. 50, the jaw of the end effector 12835 has been clamped with a high-force actuation in the direction of arrow E, and the firing member has been advanced in the direction of arrow F. Rotation of the fourth rotary output 12836 d and the fifth rotary output 12836 e is configured to selectively and cooperatively affect the high-force closure of the end effector 12835 and the firing of the firing member therein, respectively.

Referring primarily now to FIGS. 40-45, the housing 12832 includes multiple layers of gear train assemblies. Specifically, the housing 12832 includes a first gear train assembly 12838 a layered under a second gear train assembly 12838 b, which is layered under a third gear train assembly 12838 c, which is layered under a fourth gear train assembly 12838 d. The first gear train assembly 12838 a corresponds to a first DOF, such as rotation of the shaft 12834, for example. The second gear train assembly 12838 b corresponds to a second DOF, such as closure (i.e. fast closure) of the end effector 12835 with a low closure force, for example. The third gear train assembly 12838 c corresponds to a third DOF, such as clamping (i.e. slow closure) of the end effector 12835 with a high closure force, for example. The fourth gear train assembly 12838 d corresponds to a fourth DOF, such as firing of a firing element in the end effector 12835, for example. The five rotary inputs 12836 a-12836 e extend through the four layers of gear train assemblies 12838 a-12838 d.

The first motor 12826 a is drivingly coupled to the first rotary input 12836 a. In such instances, the first motor 12826 a is singularly configured to drive the first rotary input 12836 a, which affects the first DOF. For example, referring primarily to FIG. 41, articulation wires 12842 can extend from the first rotary input 12836 a through the shaft 12834 of the robotic tool 12830 toward the end effector 12835. Rotation of the first rotary input 12836 a is configured to actuate the articulation wires 12842 to affect left/right articulation of the end effector 12835. Similarly, the second motor 12826 b is drivingly coupled to the second rotary input 12836 b. In such instances, the second motor 12826 b is singularly configured to drive the second rotary input 12836 b, which affects the second DOF. Referring still to FIG. 41, articulation wires 12844 can extend from the second rotary input 12836 b through the shaft 12834 of the robotic tool 12830 toward the end effector 12835. Rotation of the second rotary input 12836 b is configured to actuate the articulation wires 12844 to affect up/down articulation of the end effector 12835. In other instances, at least one of the first rotary input 12836 a and the second rotary input 12836 b can correspond to a different DOF or different surgical function.

The housing 12832 also includes a transmission assembly 12840. For example, the third rotary input 12836 c is a shifter drive shaft of the transmission assembly 12840. As depicted in FIGS. 40-45, the third rotary input 12836 c can be a camshaft, including a plurality of camming lobes. An arrangement of cam lobes 12839 can correspond with each gear train assembly 12838 a-12838 d layered in the housing 12832. Moreover, each gear train assembly 12838 a-12838 d includes a respective shuttle 12846 a-12846 d operably engaged by the third rotary input 12836 c. For example, the third rotary input 12836 c can extend through an opening in each shuttle 12846 a-12846 d and selectively engage at least one protrusion 12848 on the shuttle 12846 a-12846 d to affect shifting of the respective shuttle 12846 a-12846 d relative to the third rotary input 12836 c. In other words, rotation of the third rotary input 12836 c is configured to affect shifting of the shuttles 12846 a-12846 d. As the shuttles 12846 a-12846 d shift within each gear train assembly 12838 a-12838 d, respectively, the cooperative drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e are selectively drivingly coupled to one or more output shafts of the robotic tool 12830, as further described herein.

In other instances, a drive system for a robotic tool can include a vertically shifting gear selector, which can be configured to shift the shuttles 12846 a-12846 d or otherwise engage an output drive from a motor to one or more input drives on the robotic tool 12830.

Referring still to FIGS. 38-45, the fourth and fifth output drives, or the first and second cooperative drive shafts, 12836 d and 12836 e, respectively, can operate independently or in a coordinated, synchronized manner. For example, in certain instances, each cooperative drive shaft 12836 d and 12836 e can be paired with a single output gear or output shaft. In other instances, both cooperative drives 12836 d and 12836 e can be paired with a single output gear or output shaft.

Referring primarily to FIG. 42, in a first configuration of the transmission arrangement 12840, the first cooperative drive shaft 12836 d is drivingly engaged with a first output gear 12852 of the first gear train assembly 12838 a. For example, the first gear train assembly 12838 a includes one or more first idler gears 12850 a. In FIG. 42, the first gear train assembly 12838 a includes two first idler gears 12850 a. The first idler gears 12850 a are positioned on the first shuttle 12846 a in the first gear train assembly 12838 a. In the first configuration (FIG. 42), the first shuttle 12846 a has been shifted toward the first output gear 12852 by the camshaft 12836 c such that one of the first idler gears 12850 a on the first shuttle 12846 a is moved into meshing engagement with the first output gear 12852 and one of the first idler gears 12850 a is moved into meshing engagement with the first cooperative drive shaft 12836 d. In other words, the first cooperative drive shaft 12836 d is drivingly engaged with the first output gear 12852.

Rotation of the first output gear 12852 corresponds to a particular DOF. For example, rotation of the first output gear 12852 is configured to rotate the shaft 12834 of the robotic tool 12830. In other words, in the first configuration of the transmission arrangement 12840 (FIG. 42), a rotation of the fourth motor 12826 d and the fourth rotary output 12824 d is configured to rotate the first cooperative drive shaft 12836 d, which is coupled to the first output gear 12852 via the first idlers gears 12850 a and rotates (or rolls) the shaft 12834.

The first gear train assembly 12838 a also includes a first locking arm 12860 a. The first locking arm 12860 a extends from the first shuttle 12846 a. Movement of the first shuttle 12846 a is configured to move the first locking arm 12860 a. For example, in the first configuration of FIG. 42, the first locking arm 12860 a is disengaged from the first gear train assembly 12838 a such that the first output gear 12852 can rotate. Movement of the first shuttle 12846 a can move the first locking arm 12860 a into engagement with the first output gear 12852. For example, when the first idler gears 12850 a are moved out of engagement with the first output gear 12852, the first locking arm 12860 a can engage the first output gear 12852 or another gear in the first gear train assembly 12838 a to prevent the rotation of the first output gear 12852.

Referring still to FIG. 42, in the first configuration of the transmission arrangement 12840, the second cooperative drive shaft 12836 e is drivingly engaged with a second output gear 12854 of the second gear train assembly 12838 b. For example, the second gear train assembly 12838 b includes one or more second idler gears 12850 b and a planetary gear 12853 that is meshingly engaged with the second output gear 12854. In FIG. 42, the second gear train assembly 12838 b includes two second idler gears 12850 b. The second idler gears 12850 b are positioned on the second shuttle 12846 b in the second gear train assembly 12838 b. In the first configuration, the second shuttle 12846 b has been shifted toward the second output gear 12854 by the camshaft 12836 c such that one of the second idler gears 12850 b on the second shuttle 12846 b is moved into meshing engagement with the planetary gear 12853, and one of the second idler gears 12850 b is moved into meshing engagement with the second cooperative drive shaft 12836 e. In other words, the second cooperative drive shaft 12836 e is drivingly engaged with the second output gear 12854 via the second idler gears 12850 b and the planetary gear 12853. The second output gear 12854 is configured to drive a second output shaft 12864 (FIGS. 43-45), which transfers a drive motion to the end effector 12835.

Rotation of the second output gear 12854 corresponds to a particular DOF. For example, a rotation of the second output gear 12854 is configured to close the end effector 12835 of the robotic tool 12830 with a low closure force. In other words, in the first configuration of the transmission arrangement 12840, a rotation of the fifth motor 12826 e and the fifth rotary output 12824 e is configured to rotate the second cooperative drive shaft 12836 e, which is coupled to the second output gear 12854, via the second idlers gears 12850 b and the planetary gear 12853, and closes the end effector 12835 of the robotic tool 12830 with a low closure force.

The second gear train assembly 12838 b also includes a second locking arm 12860 b. The second locking arm 12860 b extends from the second shuttle 12846 b. Movement of the second shuttle 12846 b is configured to move the second locking arm 12860 b. For example, in the first configuration of FIG. 42, the second locking arm 12860 b is disengaged from the planetary gear 12853. Movement of the second shuttle 12846 b can move the second locking arm 12860 b into engagement with the second planetary gear 12853. For example, when the second idler gears 12850 b are moved out of engagement with the second gear train assembly 12838 b or planetary gear 12853 thereof, the second locking arm 12860 b can engage a portion of the second gear train assembly 12838 b, such as planetary gear 12853, for example, to prevent rotation of the planetary gear 12853 and the second output gear 12854.

In the first configuration, rotary drive motions can be concurrently applied to the first and second cooperative drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e, respectively, to concurrently affect multiple degrees of freedom. For example, the transmission arrangement 12840 can permit the simultaneous rotation of the shaft 12834 and closing of the end effector jaws. In other instances, one of the output gears 12852, 12854 can be locked by the respective locking arm when the other output gear 12852, 12854 is drivingly coupled to the respective cooperative drive shaft 12836 d, 12836 e.

Referring still to FIG. 42, in the first configuration of the transmission arrangement 12840, a third output gear 12856 in the third gear train assembly 12838 c and a fourth output gear 12858 in the fourth gear train assembly 12838 d are locked via the locking arms 12860 c and 12860 d, respectively. As a result, rotation of the third output gear 12856, which corresponds to clamping or high-force closing of the end effector jaws, is prevented by the first configuration. Additionally, rotation of the fourth output gear 12858, which corresponds to firing the firing member in the end effector 12835, is also prevented. In other words, when the transmission arrangement 12840 is configured to deliver rotary motions to affect a low-force closure DOF or shaft rotation DOF, high-force clamping and firing is prevented. In such instances, the high-force clamping function and firing function can be selectively locked out by the transmission arrangement 12840.

Referring now to FIG. 43, a second configuration of the transmission arrangement 12840 is depicted. In the second configuration, the first and second cooperative drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e are drivingly engaged with a third output gear 12856 of the third gear train assembly 12838 c. The third output gear 12856 is configured to drive a third output shaft 12866 (FIGS. 43-45), which transfers a drive motion to the end effector 12835. For example, the third gear train assembly 12838 c includes one or more third idler gears 12850 c and a planetary gear 12855 that is meshingly engaged with the third output gear 12856. In FIG. 43, the third gear train assembly 12838 c includes three third idler gears 12850 c. The third idler gears 12850 c are positioned on the third shuttle 12846 c in the third gear train assembly 12838 c. In the second configuration, the third shuttle 12846 c has been shifted toward the third output gear 12856 by the camshaft 12836 c such that one of the third idler gears 12850 c is moved into meshing engagement with the planetary gear 12855, one of the third idler gears 12850 c is moved into meshing engagement with the first cooperative drive shaft 12836 d, and one of the third idler gears 12850 c is moved into meshing engagement with the second cooperative drive shaft 12836 e. In other words, both cooperative drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e are drivingly engaged with the third output gear 12856 via the third idler gears 12850 c and the planetary gear 12855.

Rotation of the third output gear 12856 corresponds to a particular DOF. For example, a rotation of the third output gear 12856 is configured to clamp the end effector 12835 of the robotic tool 12830 with a high closure force. In other words, in the second configuration of the transmission arrangement 12840, a rotation of the fourth motor 12826 d and the fifth motor 12826 e and the corresponding rotation of the fourth rotary output 12824 d and the fifth rotary output 12824 e are configured to rotate the cooperative drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e, respectively. In such instances, a torque supplied by both cooperative drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e is coupled to the third output gear 12856 via the third idlers gears 12850 c to clamp the end effector 12835 of the robotic tool 12830 with a high closure force.

Referring still to FIG. 43, in the second configuration of the transmission arrangement 12840, the third output gear 12856 is unlocked. More specifically, the third locking arm 12860 c is disengaged from the third gear train assembly 12838 c such that the third output gear 12856 can rotate. Additionally, the camshaft 12836 c has moved the first locking arm 12860 a into engagement with the first gear train assembly 12838 a, the second locking arm 12860 b into engagement with the second gear train assembly 12838 b, and the fourth locking arm 12860 d into engagement with the fourth gear train assembly 12838 d to prevent rotation of the first output gear 12852, the second output gear 12854, and the fourth output gear 12858, respectively. As a result, rotation of the shaft 12834, low-force closing of the end effector jaws, and firing of the end effector 12835, is prevented by the transmission arrangement 12840 in the second configuration. In such instances, the shaft rotation function, the low-force closing function, and the firing function can be selectively locked out by the transmission arrangement 12840.

Referring now to FIG. 44, a third configuration of the transmission arrangement 12840 is depicted. In the third configuration, the first and second cooperative drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e are drivingly engaged with a fourth output gear 12858 of the fourth gear train assembly 12838 d. For example, the fourth gear train assembly 12838 d includes one or more fourth idler gears 12850 d and a planetary gear 12857 that is meshingly engaged with the fourth output gear 12858. In FIG. 44, the fourth gear train assembly 12838 d includes three fourth idler gears 12850 d. The fourth idler gears 12850 d are positioned on the fourth shuttle 12846 d in the fourth gear train assembly 12838 d. In the third configuration, the fourth shuttle 12846 d has been shifted toward the fourth output gear 12858 by the camshaft 12836 c such that one of the fourth idler gears 12850 d is moved into meshing engagement with the planetary gear 12857, one of the fourth idler gears 12850 d is moved into meshing engagement with the first cooperative drive shaft 12836 d, and one of the fourth idler gears 12850 d is moved into meshing engagement with the second cooperative drive shaft 12836 e. In other words, both cooperative drive shafts 12836 e and 12836 e are drivingly engaged with the fourth output gear 12858 via the fourth idler gears 12850 d and the planetary gear 12857. The fourth output gear 12858 is configured to drive a third output shaft 12868 (FIGS. 43-45), which transfers a drive motion to the end effector 12835.

Rotation of the fourth output gear 12858 corresponds to a particular DOF. For example, a rotation of the fourth output gear 12858 is configured to firing a firing member in the end effector 12835 of the robotic tool 12830. In other words, in the third configuration of the transmission arrangement 12840, a rotation of the fourth motor 12826 d and the fifth motor 12826 e and the corresponding rotation of the fourth rotary output 12824 d and the fifth rotary output 12824 e are configured to rotate the cooperative drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e, respectively. In such instances, a torque supplied by both cooperative drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e is coupled to the fourth output gear 12858 via the fourth idlers gears 12850 d and planetary gear 12857 to fire the end effector 12835 of the robotic tool 12830.

Referring still to FIG. 44, in the third configuration of the transmission arrangement 12840, the fourth output gear 12858 is unlocked. More specifically, the fourth locking arm 12860 d is disengaged from the fourth gear train assembly 12838 d such that the fourth output gear 12858 can rotate. Additionally, the camshaft 12836 c has moved the first locking arm 12860 a into engagement with the first gear train assembly 12838 a, the second locking arm 12860 b into engagement with the second gear train assembly 12838 b, and the third locking arm 12860 c into engagement with the third gear train assembly 12838 c to prevent rotation of the first output gear 12852, the second output gear 12854, and the third output gear 12856, respectively. As a result, rotation of the shaft 12852, low-force closing of the end effector jaws, and high-force clamping of the end effector jaws is prevented by the transmission arrangement 12840 in the third configuration. In such instances, the shaft rotation function, the low-force closing function, and the high-force clamping function can be selectively locked out by the transmission arrangement 12840.

In one aspect, the dual drive motors 12826 d and 12826 e can coordinate with the shifting motor 12826 c to provide a compact drive housing 12832 that enables multiple end effector functions. Moreover, a greater torque can be supplied for one or more end effector functions via the cooperative drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e.

In one aspect, when the cooperative drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e are operated together, the two drives shafts 12836 d and 12836 e are synchronized. For example, the drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e can both drive a common output shaft such as the output shafts 12866 and/or 12868. Torque can be provided to the common output shafts 12866 and/or 12868 via both drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e.

Referring now to FIG. 46, a graphical display 12890 of output torque for different surgical functions of a robotic tool, such as the robotic tool 12830 (FIGS. 38-45), for example, is depicted. The output torque for rotating the tool shaft (e.g. shaft 12834) via a first cooperative drive shaft and for low-force closing of end effector jaws via a second cooperative drive shaft are less than t1, the maximum output torque from a single shaft. The lower output torques for shaft rotation and low-force jaw closure can be within the range of loads obtainable from a cable on a spindle, for example. In certain instances, other lower load functionalities of the surgical tool can be affected with the output from a single shaft.

To affect high-force clamping, the torque approaches t2, the maximum output torque from the cooperative drive shafts (e.g. cooperative drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e). For example, t2 can be twice the value of t1. The values “a” and “b” in FIG. 46 show relative forces for the robotic tool. The value “a” is the load difference between a low-force closure and high-force clamping, such as closure with a closure tube system and clamping via an I-beam, example. In certain instances, a closure tube system and an I-beam system can cooperate, or overlap temporally as shown in FIG. 46, to complete the clamping of the end effector. The value “b” can be equal to or less than the value “a”. For example, the torque required to fire the end effector can be the same, or substantially the same, as the difference in torque between low-force closing and high-force clamping. The values “a” and “b” are more than the maximum output torque from a single shaft, but less than the maximum output torque from cooperative drive shafts.

In one instance, the synchronization of multiple drive shafts (e.g. cooperative drive shafts 12836 d and 12836 e) can be the slaving of one drive shaft to the following of the other drive shaft. For example, a different maximum torque threshold can be set on the slaved drive shaft such that it can push up to the first drive shaft's limit but not over it. In one aspect, the speed of the output shaft can be monitored for increases and/or decreases in rotational speed. For example, a sensor can be positioned to detect the rotational speed of the output shaft. Further, the cooperative drive shafts can be coordinated to balance the torque when one of the cooperative drive shafts begins to slow down or brake the output shaft instead of both cooperative drive shafts accelerating it.

The motors described herein are housed in a tool mount on a robotic arm. In other instances, one or more of the motors can be housed in the robotic tool.

In one aspect, input drivers at an interface of the robotic tool are configured to mechanically and electrically couple with output drivers in a tool mount. As described herein, motors in the tool mount can be configured to deliver rotary drive motions to the drivers in the robotic tool. In other instances, the drivers in the robotic tool can be configured to receive linear drive motions from output drivers in the tool mount. For example, one or more linear drive motions can be transferred across the interface between the tool mount and the robotic tool.

When a single motor is drivingly coupled to an output shaft, the transmission assembly is in a low-torque operating state in comparison to a high-torque operating state in which more than one motor is drivingly coupled to the output shaft. The maximum torque deliverable to the output shaft in the high-torque operating state is greater than the maximum torque deliverable to the output shaft in the low-torque operating state. In one instance, the maximum torque in the high-torque operating state can be double the maximum torque in the low-torque operating state. The maximum torques deliverable to the output shaft can be based on the size and torque capabilities of the motors.

In one aspect, the robotic surgical system includes a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, as described herein. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to selectively operably couple a first rotary driver and a second rotary driver to output shafts of a tool housing, wherein one of the first rotary driver and the second rotary driver is configured to supply torque to an output shaft in a low-torque operating state, and wherein the first rotary driver and the second rotary driver are configured to concurrently supply torque to an output shaft in the high-torque operating state, as described herein.

In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a control circuit to selectively operably couple a first rotary driver and/or a second rotary driver to an output shaft as described herein. In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause a machine to selectively operably couple a first rotary driver and/or a second rotary driver to an output shaft, as described herein.

The entire disclosures of:

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, filed May 27, 2011, titled SURGICAL         STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT         ARRANGEMENTS, which issued Jul. 7, 2015;     -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,536, filed Jun. 28, 2012, titled         DIFFERENTIAL LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL         INSTRUMENTS, which issued Jul. 7, 2015;     -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,204,879, filed Jun. 28, 2012, titled FLEXIBLE         DRIVE MEMBER, which issued on Dec. 8, 2015;     -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,561,038, filed Jun. 28, 2012, titled         INTERCHANGEABLE CLIP APPLIER, which issued on Feb. 7, 2017;     -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,757,128, filed Sep. 5, 2014, titled MULTIPLE         SENSORS WITH ONE SENSOR AFFECTING A SECOND SENSOR'S OUTPUT OR         INTERPRETATION, which issued on Sep. 12, 2017;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,935, titled OVERLAID         MULTI SENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURE         TISSUE COMPRESSION, filed Mar. 6, 2015, now U.S. Patent         Application Publication No. 2016/0256071;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/382,238, titled MODULAR         BATTERY POWERED HANDHELD SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SELECTIVE         APPLICATION OF ENERGY BASED ON TISSUE CHARACTERIZATION, filed         Dec. 16, 2016, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.         2017/0202591; and     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/237,753, titled CONTROL OF         ADVANCEMENT RATE AND APPLICATION FORCE BASED ON MEASURED FORCES,         filed Aug. 16, 2016, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.         2018/0049822; are herein incorporated by reference in their         respective entireties.

Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out in the following numbered examples.

Example 1

A surgical system comprising: a hub comprising a generator; a robot comprising a tool mount; an energy tool releasably mounted to said tool mount and operably coupled to said generator; a control console, wherein a wired communication path extends between said energy tool and said control console; and a wireless communication path extending between said energy tool and said control console, wherein said wireless communication path is configured to transmit data indicative of a detected tissue parameter to said control console.

Example 2

The surgical system of Example 1, wherein said hub further comprises a situational awareness module configured to determine a step in a surgical procedure based on one or more signals from said surgical console and one or more signals from said energy tool.

Example 3

The surgical system of any one of Examples 1 and 2, wherein said hub further comprises a wireless communication module, and wherein said wireless communication path further comprises said wireless communication module.

Example 4

The surgical system of any one of Examples 1-3, wherein said wireless communication path is configured to communicate mechanical control parameters to said hub.

Example 5

The surgical system of any one of Examples 1-4, wherein said robot further comprises a flex circuit positioned to intercept a communication path between said tool mount and said energy tool.

Example 6

A surgical system comprising: a wireless communication module; a robot comprising a tool mount and an energy tool releasably mounted to said tool mount; and a flex circuit positioned intermediate said tool mount and said energy tool, wherein said flex circuit is positioned to intercept a communication path between said tool mount and said energy tool, and wherein said flex circuit is coupled to a wireless transmitter configured to communicate with said wireless communication module.

Example 7

The surgical system of Example 6, wherein said flex circuit comprises a feedback pigtail connector.

Example 8

The surgical system of any one of Examples 6 and 7, wherein said flex circuit is configured to intercept a signal between an external controller and said energy tool.

Example 9

The surgical system of Example 8, wherein said signal is indicative of a clamping force exerted by said energy tool.

Example 10

The surgical system of any one of Examples 6-9, wherein said energy tool further comprises a first electrical contact, wherein said tool mount further comprises a second electrical contact that interfaces with said first electrical contact, wherein said flex circuit is configured to intercept signals passing between said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact.

Example 11

The surgical system of any one of Examples 6-10, further comprising a situational awareness module configured to receive signals from said energy tool via said wireless transmitter.

Example 12

The surgical system of any one of Examples 6-11, further comprising a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to said processor, wherein said memory stores instructions executable by said processor to adjust a power level of said generator based on signals intercepted by said flex circuit.

Example 13

The surgical system of any one of Examples 6-12, further comprising a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to said processor, wherein said memory stores instructions executable by said processor to adjust a clamping force of said energy tool based on signals indicative of a tissue property transmitted to said wireless communication module from said energy tool.

Example 14

A surgical system comprising: a hub comprising a wireless communication module; a robot comprising a tool mount configured to interface with a releasable surgical tool; a control console, wherein a primary communication path extends between said robot and said control console via a wired connection; a first wireless communication path extending between said robot and said wireless communication module; and a second wireless communication path extending between said control console and said wireless communication module, wherein said first wireless communication path and said second wireless communication path form at least a portion of an additional communication path between said robot and said control console that is different than said primary communication path.

Example 15

The surgical system of Example 14, wherein said first wireless communication path is configured to transmit data indicative of a clamping force to said hub.

Example 16

The surgical system of any one of Examples 14 and 15, wherein said wired connection is configured to transmit data indicative of energy parameters from said robot to said control console.

Example 17

The surgical system of any one of Examples 14-16, further comprising a flex circuit positioned to intercept a communication path between said tool mount and the releasable surgical tool.

Example 18

The surgical system of any one of Examples 14-17, further comprising said releasable surgical tool, wherein said releasable surgical tool comprises an energy tool.

Example 19

The surgical system of any one of Examples 14-18, wherein said hub further comprises a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to said processor, and wherein said memory stores instructions executable by said processor to adjust a control parameter of said energy tool based on a signal transmitted along said first wireless communication path.

Example 20

The surgical system of any one of Examples 14-19, wherein said hub further comprises a situational awareness module configured to determine a step in a surgical procedure based on one or more signals transmitted along said first wireless communication path.

Example 21

A system comprising: a wireless communication module configured to transmit a signal. The system further comprises a robotic surgical tool comprising a tool interface, wherein said tool interface comprises: a mechanical connection configured to receive a drive motion from a robotic tool driver and an electrical connection configured to transmit the signal. The system further comprises a flex circuit configured to intercept the signal when said flex circuit is engaged with said tool interface.

While several forms have been illustrated and described, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Numerous modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents to those forms may be implemented and will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the structure of each element associated with the described forms can be alternatively described as a means for providing the function performed by the element. Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. It is therefore to be understood that the foregoing description and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, combinations, and variations as falling within the scope of the disclosed forms. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, modifications, and equivalents.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various forms of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the forms disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as one or more program products in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative form of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution.

Instructions used to program logic to perform various disclosed aspects can be stored within a memory in the system, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), cache, flash memory, or other storage. Furthermore, the instructions can be distributed via a network or by way of other computer readable media. Thus a machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer), but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc, read-only memory (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, read-only memory (ROMs), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or a tangible, machine-readable storage used in the transmission of information over the Internet via electrical, optical, acoustical or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). Accordingly, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes any type of tangible machine-readable medium suitable for storing or transmitting electronic instructions or information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer).

As used in any aspect herein, the term “control circuit” may refer to, for example, hardwired circuitry, programmable circuitry (e.g., a computer processor comprising one or more individual instruction processing cores, processing unit, processor, microcontroller, microcontroller unit, controller, digital signal processor (DSP), programmable logic device (PLD), programmable logic array (PLA), or field programmable gate array (FPGA)), state machine circuitry, firmware that stores instructions executed by programmable circuitry, and any combination thereof. The control circuit may, collectively or individually, be embodied as circuitry that forms part of a larger system, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on-chip (SoC), desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, servers, smart phones, etc. Accordingly, as used herein “control circuit” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment). Those having skill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination thereof.

As used in any aspect herein, the term “logic” may refer to an app, software, firmware and/or circuitry configured to perform any of the aforementioned operations. Software may be embodied as a software package, code, instructions, instruction sets and/or data recorded on non-transitory computer readable storage medium. Firmware may be embodied as code, instructions or instruction sets and/or data that are hard-coded (e.g., nonvolatile) in memory devices.

As used in any aspect herein, the terms “component,” “system,” “module” and the like can refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution.

As used in any aspect herein, an “algorithm” refers to a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result, where a “step” refers to a manipulation of physical quantities and/or logic states which may, though need not necessarily, take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It is common usage to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. These and similar terms may be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities and/or states.

A network may include a packet switched network. The communication devices may be capable of communicating with each other using a selected packet switched network communications protocol. One example communications protocol may include an Ethernet communications protocol which may be capable permitting communication using a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The Ethernet protocol may comply or be compatible with the Ethernet standard published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) titled “IEEE 802.3 Standard”, published in December, 2008 and/or later versions of this standard. Alternatively or additionally, the communication devices may be capable of communicating with each other using an X.25 communications protocol. The X.25 communications protocol may comply or be compatible with a standard promulgated by the International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). Alternatively or additionally, the communication devices may be capable of communicating with each other using a frame relay communications protocol. The frame relay communications protocol may comply or be compatible with a standard promulgated by Consultative Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT) and/or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Alternatively or additionally, the transceivers may be capable of communicating with each other using an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communications protocol. The ATM communications protocol may comply or be compatible with an ATM standard published by the ATM Forum titled “ATM-MPLS Network Interworking 2.0” published August 2001, and/or later versions of this standard. Of course, different and/or after-developed connection-oriented network communication protocols are equally contemplated herein.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the foregoing disclosure, it is appreciated that, throughout the foregoing disclosure, discussions using terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “displaying,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

One or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,” “adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that “configured to” can generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term “proximal” refers to the portion closest to the clinician and the term “distal” refers to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, although various operational flow diagrams are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.

It is worthy to note that any reference to “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “an exemplification,” “one exemplification,” and the like means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one aspect,” “in an aspect,” “in an exemplification,” and “in one exemplification” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

Any patent application, patent, non-patent publication, or other disclosure material referred to in this specification and/or listed in any Application Data Sheet is incorporated by reference herein, to the extent that the incorporated materials is not inconsistent herewith. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result from employing the concepts described herein. The foregoing description of the one or more forms has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The one or more forms were chosen and described in order to illustrate principles and practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the various forms and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the claims submitted herewith define the overall scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical system, comprising: a hub comprising a generator; a robot comprising a tool mount; an energy tool releasably mounted to said tool mount and operably coupled to said generator; a control console, wherein a wired communication path extends between said energy tool and said control console; and a wireless communication path extending between said energy tool and said control console, wherein said wireless communication path is configured to transmit data indicative of a detected tissue parameter to said control console.
 2. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein said hub further comprises a situational awareness module configured to determine a step in a surgical procedure based on one or more signals from said surgical console and one or more signals from said energy tool.
 3. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein said hub further comprises a wireless communication module, and wherein said wireless communication path further comprises said wireless communication module.
 4. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication path is configured to communicate mechanical control parameters to said hub.
 5. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein said robot further comprises a flex circuit positioned to intercept a communication path between said tool mount and said energy tool.
 6. A surgical system, comprising: a wireless communication module; a robot, comprising: a tool mount; and an energy tool releasably mounted to said tool mount; and a flex circuit positioned intermediate said tool mount and said energy tool, wherein said flex circuit is positioned to intercept a communication path between said tool mount and said energy tool, and wherein said flex circuit is coupled to a wireless transmitter configured to communicate with said wireless communication module.
 7. The surgical system of claim 6, wherein said flex circuit comprises a feedback pigtail connector.
 8. The surgical system of claim 6, wherein said flex circuit is configured to intercept a signal between an external controller and said energy tool.
 9. The surgical system of claim 8, wherein said signal is indicative of a clamping force exerted by said energy tool.
 10. The surgical system of claim 6, wherein said energy tool further comprises a first electrical contact, wherein said tool mount further comprises a second electrical contact that interfaces with said first electrical contact, wherein said flex circuit is configured to intercept signals passing between said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact.
 11. The surgical system of claim 6, further comprising a situational awareness module configured to receive signals from said energy tool via said wireless transmitter.
 12. The surgical system of claim 6, further comprising a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to said processor, wherein said memory stores instructions executable by said processor to adjust a power level of said generator based on signals intercepted by said flex circuit.
 13. The surgical system of claim 6, further comprising a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to said processor, wherein said memory stores instructions executable by said processor to adjust a clamping force of said energy tool based on signals indicative of a tissue property transmitted to said wireless communication module from said energy tool.
 14. A surgical system, comprising: a hub comprising a wireless communication module; a robot comprising a tool mount configured to interface with a releasable surgical tool; a control console, wherein a primary communication path extends between said robot and said control console via a wired connection; a first wireless communication path extending between said robot and said wireless communication module; and a second wireless communication path extending between said control console and said wireless communication module, wherein said first wireless communication path and said second wireless communication path form at least a portion of an additional communication path between said robot and said control console that is different than said primary communication path.
 15. The surgical system of claim 14, wherein said first wireless communication path is configured to transmit data indicative of a clamping force to said hub.
 16. The surgical system of claim 14, wherein said wired connection is configured to transmit data indicative of energy parameters from said robot to said control console.
 17. The surgical system of claim 14, further comprising a flex circuit positioned to intercept a communication path between said tool mount and the releasable surgical tool.
 18. The surgical system of claim 14, further comprising said releasable surgical tool, wherein said releasable surgical tool comprises an energy tool.
 19. The surgical system of claim 14, wherein said hub further comprises a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to said processor, and wherein said memory stores instructions executable by said processor to adjust a control parameter of said energy tool based on a signal transmitted along said first wireless communication path.
 20. The surgical system of claim 14, wherein said hub further comprises a situational awareness module configured to determine a step in a surgical procedure based on one or more signals transmitted along said first wireless communication path.
 21. A system, comprising: a wireless communication module configured to transmit a signal; a robotic surgical tool comprising a tool interface, wherein said tool interface comprises: a mechanical connection configured to receive a drive motion from a robotic tool driver; and an electrical connection configured to transmit the signal; and a flex circuit configured to intercept the signal when said flex circuit is engaged with said tool interface. 